Chapter 138: A Series of Shocks

Lin Zixi's message to Xiao Zhangqing said that Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue were coming to visit.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Zhangqing was not only surprised but also quite pleased.

If it weren't because, after arriving at Character: Liyang Zhenren City, he needed a period to develop, quickly raise his power, and also had some troubles he didn't want to get tangled in more whirlpools, he actually wanted to proactively visit Shopkeeper Hong and Jiang Jiyue.

He also had the Lin sisters inquire about Mu Chunfeng, but they found nothing.

However, Jiang Jiyue and Mu Chunfeng are not suitable for Xiao Zhangqing to introduce to Zhu Xiaochuan now.

After all, he's still using the alias "Bai Wuji"; if they meet together later, his alias will be exposed.

Moreover, even if he accepts Gu Zongyuan's invitation and joins the Character: Liyang Guard, it might cause the Song family and Blood Crow True Person to act cautiously and not dare to openly retaliate against him, but it's impossible to say they would no longer hold a grudge.

They might even retaliate in secret, or take revenge on people they know and care about.

Therefore, it's best that his alias remains hidden, so no one learns of his connection with Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue.

Soon.

Zhu Xiaochuan muttered as he left; he first went to reply to Gu Zongyuan, and will bring Xiao Zhangqing to visit tomorrow.

……

"Xiao Zhangqing, it's really you!"

After waiting a moment, Jiang Jiyue, upon seeing Xiao Zhangqing appear, immediately leapt from her chair, ran to his side, and stared at him with wide eyes in every direction.

After watching for a while, she shook her head and sighed, "I heard from Chunfeng that Bai Wuji might be you; I have a hundred doubts. Even when I just entered your abode, I kept suspecting… it's actually true, that's unbelievable! Why did you use the alias Bai Wuji instead of your real name?"

Xiao Zhangqing smiled, "It's a long story. When I left Nanshan Fang, I also offended Baihua Valley and Luoxia Sect, so I was worried they might issue a wanted order against me. Later, on the road to Character: Liyang Zhenren City, some incidents happened; fearing trouble, I simply used an alias."

Although more than ten years had passed, Jiang Jiyue hadn't changed much since the days in Nanshan Fang.

She still has that lively, straightforward personality.

"Offended Luoxia Sect? That's a good thing!" Jiang Jiyue said subconsciously, then laughed and explained, "Luoxia Sect's reach can't extend to Character: Liyang Zhenren City, so rest assured. Moreover, our Jiang family is now Luoxia Sect's number‑one nemesis; even if they could reach Character: Liyang Zhenren City, they'd have no time to bother you."

Mu Chunfeng, the moment he saw Lin Ziyu, had already confirmed Xiao Zhangqing's identity, so his mood was much calmer than Jiang Jiyue's.

What she was thinking now was only how to persuade Xiao Zhangqing to leave Character: Liyang Zhenren City with her quickly, to lie low.

"Chunfeng, now isn't the time for reminiscing," Mu Chunfeng said seriously to Jiang Jiyue.

Jiang Jiyue snapped back to reality, quickly nodded, "Right, right. Xiao Zhangqing, how could you dare seriously wound He Yuan? Aren't you afraid of his uncle, Blood Crow True Person?"

She didn't expect that the two women came because of He Yuan.

"Do you have a history with He Yuan, or a grudge?" Xiao Zhangqing asked.

"Of course it's a grudge! How could we have any history with someone like that?" Jiang Jiyue said, her voice filled with resentment.

She then gave a brief account of how He Yuan tried to exploit Mu Chunfeng, and how his fiancée Song Ping'er had made things difficult for the Mu family.

Mu Chunfeng took the floor, saying seriously, "Whether it's Blood Crow True Person or the Song family, they're far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator can contend with! I know, Dao Companion Xiao, your power is immense, far beyond what your outward cultivation appears to be."

"But believe me, this is Character: Liyang Zhenren City, not Nanshan Fang. Not to mention Blood Crow True Person, a genuine veteran Core Formation cultivator, and the head of the Song family, who is a Fake Core True Person, is an unmatched opponent for a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Moreover, Song Ping'er's brother Song Changning is also a top master with an earth‑spirit root and a fully completed Foundation Establishment."

"The Song family and Blood Crow True Person haven't come for revenge yet; I guess they haven't fully uncovered Dao Companion Xiao's background, so they're holding back. Once they do, it'll be too late!"

"Therefore, Dao Companion Xiao, I think you should leave Character: Liyang Zhenren City with me right away, the farther the better! Otherwise, once the Song family and Blood Crow True Person recover, the trouble will be far greater than the minor trouble you caused Baihua Valley and Luoxia Sect back in Nanshan Fang!"

After Mu Chunfeng finished speaking, Jiang Jiyue wanted to say something, but finally bit her finger, only nodded and gave two "mm‑mm" sounds, indicating she agreed with Mu Chunfeng.

"Um…"

How should I put it?

In front of the new neighbor Zhu Xiaochuan, Xiao Zhangqing finds some things hard to explain.

But before these two old friends, Xiao Zhangqing feels he must reveal some truth so they won't worry too much.

"I appreciate your goodwill. However, there's no need to leave Character: Liyang Zhenren City for now. Before I acted, I was already clearly aware that He Yuan's uncle is a Core Formation True Person, so I'm not acting recklessly, nor am I ignorant of what a Core Formation True Person represents…"

Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, organized his words, and then, in a less far‑fetched tone, said, "Actually, before coming to Character: Liyang Zhenren City, I already had experience fighting Fake Core True Persons. Moreover, they were the Fake Core True Persons of Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley! That's why I hold a grudge against those two major sects."

Huh??? Upon hearing this, Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue were outright stunned.

Even though Mu Chunfeng had stayed in Nanshan Fang for several years, experienced the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator invasion, and witnessed how Xiao Zhangqing suppressed the Cao family.

But it's still hard to believe Xiao Zhangqing's current statements.

How many years? Over a decade passed, and the scattered cultivator who once needed his investment and a place to reside in his cave progressed from the Refining Qi Initial Stage, gradually caught up with her—the Foundation Establishment family's young lady—and then left her far behind, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

And now, he's actually fought a Fake Core True Person?

Jiang Jiyue also couldn't believe it.

She, now a Foundation Establishment cultivator herself, understands even more clearly the huge chasm between Foundation Establishment cultivators and Core Formation cultivators!

One could say the gap between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation is larger than the gap between Refining Qi and Foundation Establishment!

A ninth‑layer Refining Qi cultivator can, against some weaker Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivators, have enough self‑preservation to escape; it's difficult but not exceptionally rare.

Even in the modest Nanshan Fang, there were cultivators who could achieve this, such as Han Yu.

Even a hundred years ago in Nanshan Fang, there were beings with Refining Qi cultivation who defeated Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivators!

However.

Challenging a Fake Core cultivator with Foundation Establishment cultivation is almost impossible!

The number of fully completed Foundation Establishment cultivators in Character: Liyang Zhenren City isn't small; among them, the two most outstanding and renowned don't even claim they can match a Fake Core cultivator, let alone a true Golden Core True Person!

Seeing the two women seemed skeptical, Xiao Zhangqing glanced at the Lin sisters, signaling them to explain.

Lin Ziyu smiled and said, "Dao Companion Mu, Dao Companion Jiang, the lord's words are true. Before leaving Nanshan Fang, the lord indeed fought fiercely against the two major Fake Core True Persons!"

Lin Zixi also nodded.

Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue exchanged glances, still finding it hard to accept. After a while, Jiang Jiyue tentatively asked, "So Xiao Zhangqing, what was the final outcome of your fights with the two Fake Core True Persons? Were you seriously injured?"

Xiao Zhangqing said, "Serious injury… not really. However, my Soul Transformation was heavily drained and took a while to recover."

At the time he used the Dragon Roar Technique, which heavily overtaxed his Soul Transformation; it indeed took nearly a month to fully recover.

However.

Those two Fake Core cultivators were injured even more severely.

He forcibly seized the life‑bound Magic Treasure of one of them.

If there hadn't been other people nearby at the time serving as protectors for the two, Xiao Zhangqing could have easily slashed the two Fake Core True Persons.

Moreover, that was almost a year ago.

After obtaining the spoils of the two Fake Core True Persons and quickly advancing again upon arriving at Character: Liyang Zhenren City, Xiao Zhangqing's current strength has increased greatly compared to when he was at South Mountain Workshop.

With his present power and methods, if he were to face the Fake Core Cultivators Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai again, killing them should require little effort.

At least, he wouldn't need to exhaust the Soul Transformation technique.

"Escaping unscathed from the two Fake Core True Persons, even with severe injuries, is already terrifying…" Mu Chunfeng's shocked expression did not fade as she muttered to herself.

At this moment, her inner shock was almost on par with the first time she learned that Xiao Zhangqing had become the top cultivator of South Mountain Workshop and successfully established his Foundation.

Jiang Jiyue frantically nodded again, showing her agreement.

To spar with the two Fake Core Cultivators!

To think they could leave alive, without missing limbs! What kind of power is that? Simply… simply one person equals the foundation of their Jiang family! Although the Jiang family is one of the ten newly prominent families in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, there is not a single Fake Core True Person in the clan; only her father achieved a complete Foundation establishment.

Behind the Jiang family, there is only one Fake Core Cultivator, Zuo Zichun 'Zuo True Person'! Of course, Zuo True Person is one of the Character: Liyang Seven Heroes, and also the chief senior disciple of the Character: Liyang Zhenren, having followed him for many years.

Although he is a Fake Core True Person, his strength is not far inferior to that of a genuine early‑stage Golden Core cultivator, and he wields a terrifying life‑bound Magic Treasure.

Zuo True Person is absolutely not comparable to the Fake Core True Persons of the Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley.

Yet even so, it is already beyond comprehension!

The Jiang family merely aligned with Zuo True Person! "No wonder you, Xiao Zhangqing, are so confident, daring to grievously wound He Yuan, yet remaining unflustered afterward without thinking of fleeing." Jiang Jiyue stared at Xiao Zhangqing, her eyes showing admiration for the first time.

She has been a prodigy since childhood, and Hong Jiantao looked after her while she was at South Mountain Workshop.

Upon arriving at Character: Liyang Zhenren City, she instantly became the Jiang family's miss, well‑versed and worldly.

All these years, the person she admired was Hong Jiantao's disciple, the genius Symbol Master Lu Qiu.

Now, she somewhat reveres Xiao Zhangqing's terrifying speed of power advancement.

In comparison, the so‑called other geniuses are nothing next to Xiao Zhangqing, who rose from being a Scattered Cultivator.

"So you two need not worry about me. Whether it's the Blood Crow True Person or the Song family, I can still handle them; at least I can protect myself." Xiao Zhangqing said with a smile.

Jiang Jiyue and Mu Chunfeng nodded, the heavy stone in their hearts settled, and they felt much relieved.

However, after a while, Mu Chunfeng still spoke seriously: "But Xiao Dao Companion, you still need to be cautious. With your current strength, the Song family shouldn't be too frightening, but when that Blood Crow True Person makes a move, it will still be dangerous. I heard that this Blood Crow True Person's methods are extremely terrifying and insidious, and he never forgets a grudge; rumors say more than a couple of Fake Core Cultivators have died at his hands."

"Thanks for the reminder, Mu Dao Companion; I'm aware." Xiao Zhangqing said.

The Blood Crow True Person—he had already heard roughly about him from Pill Master Zhu Youlong while at South Mountain Workshop, so he naturally understood how vicious and ruthless this person is.

As an old‑school Golden Core True Person, even though his cultivation has not advanced to the mid‑stage Golden Core over the years, he still belongs to the top tier of early‑stage Golden Core cultivators.

If adequately prepared, a typical Fake Core Cultivator would indeed find it very hard to survive his hand.

He paused briefly, and for the two women's peace of mind added: "By the way, there's another matter—I have been recruited by the ancient commander of the Character: Liyang Guard. If nothing goes wrong, I will soon join the Character: Liyang Guard and become a captain."

Speaking, Xiao Zhangqing also glanced at the Lin family sisters.

These past few days, although the Lin sisters said little, Xiao Zhangqing could see that they still harbored some worries.

They know Xiao Zhangqing's battle record well and understand that he holds many secrets, with endless trump cards.

But this time, the opponent is ultimately a genuine Golden Core True Person.

"Character: Liyang Guard, captain?"

Now, all four women showed surprise in their eyes.

They all know what the Character: Liyang Guard represents in Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

This is equivalent to the Character: Liyang Zhenren's 'trusted confidant' and 'official' army! The Character: Liyang Guard Captain's status is even a few ranks higher than some ordinary direct disciples of the Character: Liyang Zhenren! "Lord, just now Senior Zhu came to find you to discuss this matter," Lin Zixi's joy overflowed, her eyes worshipful and delighted as they stared at Xiao Zhangqing.

If Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue weren't there at this moment, she probably would have couldn't help throwing herself into Xiao Zhangqing's arms.

"Hmm."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded and said, "Even though the Blood Crow True Person's methods are insidious and poisonous, he does not dare to confront me openly. As for the underhanded tricks that cannot be brought to the surface, with my strength I can handle them."

Phew—now the previously anxious Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue have completely settled their hearts.

No need to worry about Xiao Zhangqing, nor to persuade him to flee.

And that He Yuan, this time is a mute who suffers in silence!

The arrogant Song family and Song Ping'er this time can only pinch their noses and accept their bad luck!

As the two women were about to leave, Xiao Zhangqing called Mu Chunfeng, saying, "Mu Dao Companion, you don't need to leave Character: Liyang Zhenren City. After the auction, if the Song family still dares to trouble you, I will personally go to the Song family."

After attending the auction, if I can obtain a few useful treasures for myself.

Not to mention the Song family, even the Blood Crow True Person, Xiao Zhangqing wants to proactively meet them!

(End of Chapter)