Chapter 205: The Tiger Poison Still Doesn't Eat Its Own Children

205. Chapter 205: The Tiger Poison Still Doesn't Eat Its Own Children

Ruan Qingzhu actually failed at Foundation Establishment, and Xiao Zhangqing thinks it is most likely because she did not obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

But he did not expect Ruan Bufan's next words to surprise Xiao Zhangqing.

"Yes… when my mother tried to establish the foundation, my father provided the Foundation Establishment Pill…" Ruan Bufan said gloomily.

Back then at Nanshan Fang, he behaved very rebelliously and had a strained relationship with his mother Ruan Qingzhu. Yet in truth he cared deeply for his mother, was angry that despite her decent talent she was abandoned by Baihua Valley, blamed himself for hindering her, felt guilty, so he acted in ways that seemed rebellious.

"Your father?" Xiao Zhangqing asked, a bit surprised.

"My father is the Jie Dan Elder of the Giant Wood Sect, Wan Yuexing, the Wan Zhenren." Ruan Bufan turned his head to introduce.

During the first few years after arriving at the Giant Wood Sect, Ruan Bufan harbored deep hatred toward his father Wan Yuexing.

That wife‑abandoning, child‑forsaking scoundrel was the source of his mother's suffering and also delayed his mother's optimal cultivation time.

If he had known from the start that Giant Wood Immortal City was his father's territory, he wouldn't have come.

But later his mother Ruan Qingzhu also arrived at Giant Wood Immortal City, and his father Wan Yuexing took various "remedial measures," treating the mother and son very favorably.

Especially after Wan Yuexing "unconditionally" provided Ruan Qingzhu with a Foundation Establishment Pill, and with his mother's persuasion, Ruan Bufan, though still harboring resentment, could at least get along on the surface and not meet as enemies.

Of course.

The father‑son relationship was still not close, and Ruan Bufan rarely communicated with his father.

"Having a Foundation Establishment Pill yet still failing the foundation and getting seriously injured?" Xiao Zhangqing frowned.

But he didn't think too much; after all, he didn't know the details and couldn't imagine how far the relationship between Ruan Qingzhu and Wan Yuexing had escalated, only finding it somewhat illogical and odd.

He glanced from afar at Wan Yuexing, the Giant Wood Sect Jie Dan Elder, nodded, and greeted.

Relying on the relationship of mother and son Ruan Qingzhu and Ruan Bufan, he reluctantly considered this person a half "acquaintance."

Although he also despised that person's earlier wife‑abandoning behavior, Ruan Bufan no longer cared, and as an outsider he naturally could not say anything.

But Xiao Zhangqing thought the greeting was a friendly gesture; he didn't expect Wan Yuexing to see it as provocation, making him furious! In his mind, Xiao Zhangqing was the guy who "put a green hat" on him!

Not only did Ruan Qingzhu betray him and have no feelings for him, even his son Ruan Bufan idolized Xiao Zhangqing, while feeling no affection for his own father!

Even though over the past ten or twenty years he spent much effort and resources on his only son, Ruan Bufan's attitude toward him had shifted somewhat, but overall remained lukewarm!

It was simply a man's greatest humiliation!

All these years he wished to shred Xiao Zhangqing's corpse into countless pieces, but he never found Xiao Zhangqing's whereabouts.

When the Giant Wood Sect sent people to Liyang Immortal City to inquire about Xiao Zhangqing, Ruan Bufan thought it was to "repay" Xiao Zhangqing, but actually Wan Yuexing wanted a fierce "revenge"! Fortunately Xiao Zhangqing was cautious at the time, did not expose his movements, changed a few aliases, otherwise the conflict with the Giant Wood Sect would have erupted and become endless.

Thus even without today's sudden seizure of the Giant Wood Sect's treasure by Xiao Zhangqing, Wan Yuexing would still devise ways to put Xiao Zhangqing to death upon meeting.

At this moment seeing his son display such obedient, excited behavior before Xiao Zhangqing, something he had never enjoyed, made Wan Yuexing's anger burn even hotter.

Just as Wan Yuexing summoned his power, ready to act, the Giant Wood Sect Supreme Elder beside him stopped him, signaling him to calm down.

"So it's Dao Companion Xiao, I am the Supreme Elder Changxu Zhenren of the Giant Wood Sect."

The Supreme Elder stepped forward, courteously greeting Xiao Zhangqing and treating him as an equal.

His beard and hair were all white; he had lived nearly four hundred years. In terms of seniority, in the Da Yu Cultivation World he was among the highest few, and with his considerable strength, few deserved such treatment.

Now facing Xiao Zhangqing, his demeanor was gentle, smiling: "The current Da Yu Cultivation World truly produces talent aplenty; a young Real Person like Xiao Zhangqing, with such strong power, has boundless prospects, truly enviable."

Xiao Zhangqing clasped his hands and said: "Supreme Elder Changxu, you are too courteous. Though this is my first time stepping into the Western Regions, I have long heard of the many legends about you. The foremost master of the Western Regions, whose might suppressed the far west for two hundred years…"

Hmm.

One shouldn't strike a smiling person.

If others are being courteous, it's fine to be courteous in return.

Anyway, there's no loss.

"Old, so old. I haven't roamed the jianghu for many years; half my body is almost buried, these empty titles cannot be real…"

Changxu Zhenren waved his hand, appearing very modest. Then he shifted tone, his eyes bright as he looked at Xiao Zhangqing, saying: "A wise person says no hidden words; since Real Person Changqing knows Bufan, that makes him a friend of our Giant Wood Sect. Then today we can all sit down and discuss peacefully to resolve this matter. Real Person Changqing, what do you say?" The previously cooperative and courteous Xiao Zhangqing's attitude turned sharply upon hearing this.

Although his face still wore a smile, his words were extremely stiff, leaving no room for maneuver: "What Changxu Zhenren mentions, is it the Four‑Stage Spirit Wood Purification? If that's the case, there's no need to sit down and talk. The matter is already clear; the Yang siblings have voluntarily handed it to me, and this item is of great use to me, so I will not part with it."

Whoa! When Xiao Zhangqing said that, everyone of the Giant Wood Sect's faces changed dramatically.

Not only Wan Yuexing, but also another Jie Dan cultivator, Zhuge Zhenren, had his gaze sharpen, murderous aura rising.

Supreme Elder Changxu Zhenren also had a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, but he suppressed it, paused, then said: "Real Person Changqing may not know, this item does not belong to the Yang siblings; it is the Giant Wood Sect's treasure. Those Yang siblings are merely thieves…"

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head: "Although the Black Sand Secret Realm lies within Giant Wood Sect's territory, secret realms have never been monopolized by any sect, and the treasures within are obtained by those with fate. How can Changxu Zhenren claim this item belongs to the Giant Wood Sect?"

Changxu Zhenren patiently said: "Over ten years ago, a disciple of our sect sensed the aura of a treasure in the secret realm, but the situation there changed abruptly and we missed it; we have been searching for it ever since…"

Xiao Zhangqing cut in: "Then this still shows the Giant Wood Sect has no fate with this treasure. Now the treasure is in my hands, showing I have fate with it, so Changxu Zhenren need not say more; I will not hand it over under any circumstances."

Changxu Zhenren's expression and tone grew colder: "Originally I thought that since Real Person Changqing knows Bufan, it could give the Giant Wood Sect and me a face. It seems Real Person Changqing has no intention of giving face at all."

Xiao Zhangqing chuckled lightly: "I know Bufan, but I have no old ties with the Giant Wood Sect, so why give face? Moreover, what face is so great that it warrants handing over a Four‑Stage Spirit Wood Purification?"

Changxu Zhenren again stopped Wan Yuexing and Elder Zhuge from acting, asking: "Real Person Changqing, since that's the case, I'll speak plainly. This treasure, the Giant Wood Sect is determined to obtain it, regardless of any price, regardless of who we must oppose, we don't care. Real Person Changqing, if you are willing to give the Giant Wood Sect a face, you may propose any condition; as long as our sect can fulfill it, we will not refuse!"

"No conditions at all; I simply cannot let this item go," Xiao Zhangqing did not relent.

"Refusing a toast and taking a penalty drink—asking for death!"

Wan Yuexing's magical energy surged, the powerful aura of early‑stage Jie Dan pinnacle rising, his eyes narrowed at Ruan Qingzhu, his tone no longer gentle, scolding: "Bufan, come to me!"

Ruan Bufan's expression was anxious; he did not move, staying beside Xiao Zhangqing.

However he did not try to persuade Xiao Zhangqing, but addressed the three Jie Dan Real Persons—Supreme Elder, Elder Zhuge, and his father—saying: "Supreme Elder, Elder Zhuge, Father, I think this matter should still value peace. Symbol Master Xiao's words are reasonable; the treasure in the Black Sand Secret Realm has indeed been obtained by those with fate over the years. If we force a purchase or sale, it would damage the Giant Wood Sect's reputation…"

Obviously, Ruan Bufan's persuasion had no effect.

It could not move anyone of the Giant Wood Sect, nor change his thinking.

As for his father Wan Yuexing, this action was more like adding fuel to the fire.

His complexion grew so grim it seemed about to drip water, and he said word for word: "I'll tell you one last time, get over here!"

Ruan Bufan still tried to ease the conflict, stepping forward, blocking between them, urgently saying: "Father, please don't be angry yet, listen to me…"

"Rebel son! What use is keeping you!"

After a thunderous shout, Wan Yuexing pointed a finger, and his magical power condensed into a beam as if it were a refined blade, piercing Ruan Bufan.

The strike was extremely ruthless, and not to mention that it came out of nowhere without any sign; Ruan Bufan never saw it coming.

Even if Ruan Bufan had anticipated it and prepared, there would be no way to resist such a blow; death would be certain.

Because the angry Wan Yuexing showed no mercy with this strike, even a Fake Core True Person would find it hard to withstand; even if not killed, one would be gravely wounded.

And Ruan Bufan is only at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage.

Buzz! Xiao Zhangqing acted, his sword light flickered, intercepting the refined blade in midair, vanishing.

At the same time his figure shifted, already arriving beside Ruan Bufan, his eyes narrowed, somewhat surprised, he said: "Are people of the Giant Wood Sect all this ruthless? Wan Zhenren, Hu Du still does not eat its own cubs, yet you show no mercy in striking your son."

Ruan Bufan was also stunned, with terror and disbelief; after a good half‑second he recovered, staring at his father as if from a nightmare, and asked in disbelief: "Father, you…"

In these past ten‑plus years, although he has not fully forgiven Wan Yuexing, he cannot interact as a normal father and son.

But in his heart, he at least acknowledges this relationship.

After all, his mother Ruan Qingzhu is gone; in this world, Wan Yuexing is his only blood‑related kin.

Moreover, before dying, Ruan Qingzhu told him not to confront his father again.

He did not expect today.

Wan Yuexing sneered: "Rebel son, shut up, you unripe white‑eyed wolf. From now on you are no longer my son! You, just like your unchaste mother, both deserve death! I regret not seeing this sooner!" (End of chapter)