Chapter 419

"That doesn't make sense!" Chi Jiuyu suddenly sensed something amiss, "Aren't your dad and Hong Zun Qianbei the same person? Doesn't he care at all?"

Isn't the Grand Master of the Xian Sect supposed to at least pay attention to his own son?

And if she remembered correctly, the legendary Hong Zun Qianbei was an expert in this area—with countless dao partners!

So why is that guy who calls himself 'Beaten Into a Dog Brother' acting like this?

"Aside from a regular allowance and living expenses, plus occasional gifts, Father rarely interferes with our choices."

Zhao Ruohan gazed ahead at the bustling crowd.

"He says no matter how we choose, whether good or bad, every experience we go through now will become a precious memory in the future—he doesn't want to crush such possibilities."

emm…

Will getting tricked by a 'tea-selling woman' count as a precious memory too?

Chi Jiuyu tried to imagine herself in that situation—if it were her…

Damn, what a black history!

She, Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu, was wise and glorious, endowed with supreme wisdom—how could such a low-level, childish scam fool her!

Fine, she still couldn't understand the Grand Masters' thinking.

Just like Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu, besides becoming the Zong Sect's leader, one of her biggest dreams was to cultivate hard and one day delete all the black history her master had saved about her!

"Xiao Zhao, do you think the same?"

"... Not exactly."

Black history is black history!

Chi Jiuyu nodded in agreement.

Exactly!

This kind of black history should be known by no one!

As they walked and chatted, they occasionally stopped to look at some novel little trinkets.

One was the top-ranked Golden Core cultivator from the last Xian Sect Grand Competition; the other was the daughter of Hong Zun Hehuan Hehuan Laozu of the Taishang Dao Sect—everyone there knew her.

So it didn't take long before someone recognized them.

How could Chi Jiuyu of the Jian Sect and the daughter of Hong Zun Hehuan Hehuan Laozu of the Taishang Dao Sect be together?

In the last Xian Sect Grand Competition, this girl's brother was made to cry right on the spot by Chi Jiuyu.

Shouldn't they be like oil and water, diametrically opposed?

Hey, wait a minute!

Why is Chi Jiuyu missing a front tooth?

Could it have been broken in a fight?

"Shocking! Jian Sect's Chi Jiuyu Defeated by Zhao Ruohan of the Taishang Dao Sect!"

"The Untold Story Between Chi Jiuyu and Zhao Ruohan"

"Narrow Defeat! Is the Youngest Soul Transformation Ever to Exhaust Her Potential?"

The Taishang Dao Sect's new product launch, held just before the Xian Sect Grand Competition, had already drawn many reporters; some, upon noticing the two together, had already drafted their headlines.

The upcoming Xian Sect Grand Competition, as the biggest recent event, attracted enormous attention.

Especially after rumors spread that the competition's footage wouldn't be broadcast publicly, even more people grew curious.

So before long, some inexperienced rookie reporters couldn't resist their impulse and began secretly recording the scene with image-capturing devices.

"Someone's sneaking photos of us," Zhao Ruohan said.

"Let them," Chi Jiuyu didn't care, picking up a small yellow duck the size of a palm from a stall and squeezing it until it went "Gaa-gaa," "They won't capture anything anyway."

As core disciples of the Xian Sect, they were all equipped with corresponding protective measures.

As long as they didn't want to, no one could record even a single bit of information!

"They might still make up nonsense in the news."

"Let them make up nonsense—I'd actually welcome it."

Chi Jiuyu paid as she spoke, planning to use this duck to appease her master the next time she made him angry.

"Huh? Why?"

"I'm a disciple of the Master Jianzun, the future Zong Sect leader—who dares to spread lies is slandering the Jian Sect's face!"

This is such an open-handed extortion…

Cough, cough!

No, it's just that chances to demand compensation like this are rare.

"By the way, Xiao Zhao, do you sell 'Tianqing Spirit Liquid' here?"

"Tianqing Spirit Liquid…" Zhao Ruohan frowned, "What do you need it for?"

Tianqing Spirit Liquid is a very obscure, yet high-grade spirit liquid, typically used to stimulate the growth of special spiritual herbs.

"Of course to grow trees!"

That liquid is insanely expensive—the last batch I bought is almost gone; I need to buy more to keep on hand.

Is there a discount today?

"The Xuanzhu Fruit Tree?"

"Yes yes! The Lingzu Qianbei gave me a planting manual—the tree is such a pain to care for, requiring over a dozen different spirit liquids alone!"

So that's why you need Tianqing Spirit Liquid for the Xuanzhu Fruit Tree.

But the planting manual…

"We do have it, but shouldn't the Jian Sect sell it too?"

The planting manual given by Lingzu Qianbei can't be spoken of lightly.

"Since I remember, I might as well buy some."

I just happened to get some spirit stones from my uncle's storage ring—even without a discount, I might as well buy some.

……

……

Inside the Hong Hall.

Hong Qianqian has already left, but Hong Zun remains in the Tai Shang Dao Sect; all companions without urgent duties have come.

Not many—just three.

The others are either in seclusion or guarding the Starry Frontline.

After all, Dong Zhen is an extremely vital combat force; they usually hold key positions.

"Comrade, my purpose for coming has been fulfilled; I won't disturb you further," Xu Xing said, rising.

Across from him, on either side of Hong Zun sat several female cultivators of peerless beauty—some plump, some slender, wearing ruqun, dao robes, wide-sleeved palace gowns, even modern attire; each had her own distinct charm.

The goal was already accomplished; staying here any longer felt too strange. Better to leave early.

"Comrade, take your leave slowly," Hong Zun said, then turned to Xiang Yuanjun, who had also risen, "Xiang Yuanjun, please show the comrade around."

"Mm." Xiang Yuanjun gave a slight nod.

Then she walked out with Xu Xing.

Bronze bells hung at the eaves chimed softly three or four times; amid the tinkling, purple bamboo swayed, and their silhouettes vanished around the corner.

"I always feel Xiang Yuanjun has become much more open with Master Jianzu Comrade…" Qian Shuang suddenly said.

In the past, Xiang Yuanjun was always very reserved around Master Jianzu Comrade.

"Perhaps falling beyond the boundary made her realize something?" Zhao Ruohan also said.

They were the first to arrive; both were present when Hong Qianqian asked that question.

The other women, hearing this, glanced at Hong Zun.

Everyone has a taste for gossip, especially gossip about Master Jianzu and Xiang Yuanjun.

Feeling their gazes, Hong Zun paused, set down his wine cup, and sighed, "I don't know what happened."

Earlier, to maintain 'family harmony,' I spent enormous effort—when did I have time to pay attention to this?

Besides, their situation is far more complicated…

Forget it.

Let them be.

……

……

On the other side, Xu Xing had already left the Hong Hall with Xiang Yuanjun.

The Hong Hall hung high in the sky, existing in the mortal world yet inaccessible to ordinary people; now that they stepped out, they stood directly atop the clouds.

Looking out, endless clouds stretched far and wide, crimson auroras wove through the sky, islands of varying sizes floated among them, with spiritual peaks appearing and disappearing within.

"The scenery of the Tai Shang Dao Sect truly surpasses that of the Xiang Jianzong," Xu Xing remarked.

"But how does it compare to the divine maidens dancing in the Divine Dao Heavenly Palace?" Xiang Yuanjun suddenly asked.

"…" Xu Xing paused, then looked at Xiang Yuanjun. "I only said that to tease Hong Zun Comrade." He spoke frankly—he had truly thought so.

In that previous world, he cared far more about the great tide of immortal and divine succession than about so-called divine maidens and heavenly consorts dancing.

And… hasn't Hong Zun Comrade felt the same?

It was just mutual teasing.

"I suppose so." Xiang Yuanjun dropped the subject, lowering her gaze. "That's Master Jianzun's disciple—I've heard her mentioned many times."

I'd heard of her before but didn't pay much attention; now I see she truly is impressive—her foundation is solid, her spiritual arts are decent, and most importantly, she's very young.

Though Master Jianzun is a brute, the disciples he cultivates are truly outstanding.

"Go meet her?" Xu Xing said.

"Alright."

When Comrade went to Ling Yin Fang, he brought her along—it seemed to be Master Jianzun's request.

According to Ling Zu, she's a very interesting junior.

!

Hanging around Zhao Ruohan, whose mind works in strange ways, clearly means she's not normal either.

It'd be good to meet her with Comrade.

As they spoke, their figures descended slowly and steadily toward the ground.

Halfway down, they saw someone gathering the qi of heaven and earth while shouting.

"Freshly gathered Qingxia Qi! Qingxia Qi, only twenty contribution points per liang! Essential for spiritual cultivation!"

"Freshly gathered Xun Wind Qi, fifty contribution points per liang…!"

"Han Yang Qi…"

Looking around, people everywhere among the clouds were gathering and selling qi—some in groups of three or two, others alone.

Magical devices beside them chimed, announcing prices high or low, with varied types; some even passed off previously gathered qi as freshly collected.

Cultivators of the Art Sect need far more types of heavenly qi than sword cultivators, so naturally some make a living this way.

But interestingly…

Looking around, seven out of ten are mere projections—not their true bodies.

Don't ask why cultivators of the Dog Dao still bother with business.

How do you survive without money?

With insufficient resources, even the most basic methods of avatar substitution, divination, and derivation can't be cultivated properly — how could you possibly outlast others?

When there are too many cautious people, naturally things start to get competitive.

In this day and age, practitioners of the path of caution have it pretty rough too.

A qualified cautious-path cultivator must, at the very least, be able to address a 'Realm of Ants' cultivator as a fellow Daoist while possessing the ability to swiftly defeat those in the 'Senior Realm.'

"The avatar techniques of the Grand Supreme Dao Sect grow ever more exquisite." Xu Xing said with a smile.

Truly worthy of being universally acknowledged as the 'Sect of Caution.'

"My elder brother is also troubled by this, but this trend can't be corrected overnight." Yuanjun sighed.

Soon, the two passed through layer upon layer of clouds and mist, and the cultivators gathering the Qi of Heaven and Earth gradually grew fewer.

Strangely enough, though the skies above were thick with heavy clouds, once the altitude dropped a little, the sunlight that fell remained bright and warm — looking up, the horizon was clear and luminous.

This was the marvelous effect of a formation.

They landed in a park that wasn't particularly lively, with some evergreen ornamental trees planted along the roadside.

Because most people had gone to the venue to watch the new product launch, there were hardly any people here.

Yuanjun looked up ahead: "They're over there."

Not far off, Chi Jiuyu had already purchased the needed spirit liquid and was sitting on a roadside bench resting with Zhao Ruohan.

"Let's go, we'll head over." Xu Xing walked toward the two.

Yuanjun followed along.

At first she lagged a little, but it wasn't long before she caught up and walked shoulder to shoulder with him.

Chi Jiuyu had one leg crossed over the other, leaning back against the bench with her arms spread wide; Zhao Ruohan, on the other hand, sat very properly and primly.

The two of them formed a stark contrast in posture.

"Little Zhao, what do you think Uncle-Master and the others are chatting about now?" Chi Jiuyu said, swinging her leg as she spoke.

Little Zhao?

Yuanjun's expression turned a little odd.

The Sword Revered One's disciple should actually be a bit younger than Ruohan, right?

"I don't know, but it should be about the Xian Sect Grand Competition." Zhao Ruohan said lightly.

But then she immediately went on talking to herself: "Qianqian-jie said that Little Aunt has always liked Senior Xiang Jianzong, so after meeting Father, Senior Xiang Jianzong might have gone to see Little Aunt."

"Oh?!"

Chi Jiuyu was instantly intrigued.

"Senior Yuanjun? Doesn't she rarely stay at the Grand Supreme Dao Sect?"

"If Senior Xiang Jianzong is coming, Little Aunt is definitely going to come back." After a pause, Zhao Ruohan emphasized again, "She really likes Senior Xiang Jianzong."

These two rascals are actually sitting here gossiping about their elders!

"Hah~ plenty of people like Uncle-Master — my mas… Senior Lingzu of Ling Yin Fang also likes my Uncle-Master!"

She had originally meant to say Master, but Chi Jiuyu recalled her sacred duty as Master's loyal disciple and changed her words at the very last second.

How could matters about Master be spoken of outside!

"My Little Aunt is very pretty." Zhao Ruohan said earnestly.

"Senior Lingzu is also very pretty."

Just a tiny bit worse than Master.

Chi Jiuyu added silently in her heart.

"And she's very gentle, and her cooking is excellent too — have you heard of the Mysterious Candle Spirit Fish? They're raised on Mysterious Candle Fruit, and the taste is amazing…"

Zhao Ruohan had been about to say more, but upon seeing the two people walking over not far away, she immediately fell silent.

Only Chi Jiuyu was still chattering on and on.

"Jiuyu."

Though it was an extremely soft call, it startled Chi Jiuyu so badly every hair on her body stood on end, and she shot straight up from the bench in one leap.

Turning her head, she saw Uncle-Master looking right at her.

Though there was a smile on her face, it still made her a little Mao Mao.

"S-S-Shu…?"

Even the magic power she'd been using to cover the gap in her front teeth fell away.

Zhao Ruohan also rose, clenched her fists, and pressed her lips together: "Little Aunt, Senior Xiang Jianzong."

She was equally nervous to no end.

Gossiping about your elders behind their backs and getting caught in the act…

Way too awkward.

"Mm." Yuanjun gave a slight nod.

Then she turned her gaze to Chi Jiuyu.

Chi Jiuyu's heart involuntarily tightened, but it quickly relaxed again.

Perhaps because she'd courted death in front of Bie Xuening too many times and gotten used to it, she actually wasn't that nervous in this situation.

She quickly thought of a way to avoid getting punished.

"Chi Jiuyu, chief disciple of the Sword Revered One, greets Senior Yuanjun!" she shouted at the top of her lungs and bowed at a forty-five-degree angle.

Seniors are seniors — a sincere bow will do!

As for why exactly forty-five degrees…

A ninety-degree bow is reserved only for Master and Uncle-Master!

She is a principled Yu!

「……」

The Spirit Ancestor was right after all—this disciple of the Sword Sovereign is truly 'interesting'.

"Enough, stop fooling around," Xu Xing said helplessly.

This person has no shame; expecting her to be nervous for long is simply unrealistic.

"Hehe!" Chi Jiuyu straightened up and laughed, then said at once, "Little Zhao wasn't wrong at all, Elder Yuanjun, you are truly beautiful."

Though still a tiny bit less so than my master.

She added silently in her heart.

Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu is forever my master's most loyal disciple!

"Oh?" Xiang Yuanjun looked at her with a half-smile. "Then, between me and the Spirit Ancestor, who do you think is more beautiful?" (End of Chapter)