Chapter 215: The Bottom Line Is Very Flexible, huh

215. Chapter 215: The Bottom Line Is Very Flexible, huh

The battle can be said to have ended as soon as it began.

There was no opposition, no struggle. Chen Shan Zhenren led the enforcement squad's battle formation, and after only two moves the formation was shattered, leaving all cultivators seriously injured.

Of course, Chen Shan Zhenren was not underestimating the enemy; on the contrary, his first move was impressive and very serious.

His second move was even more all‑out, unleashing the greatest power of both himself and the formation.

Even so, there was no room to struggle; the opponent, with an "impatient" stance, crushed him hard to the ground.

"You… sir… and Character: Liyang, what is your relationship?"

Chen Shan Zhenren stared intently at Xiao Zhangqing.

He has never dealt with Character: Liyang, but he does know something about the first Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

Especially, Character: Liyang once killed a senior elder of the Seven Star Sword Sect who was at the peak of the mid‑Golden Core stage; at the time, the sect's higher‑ups debated whether to uphold the sect's dignity and not tolerate provocation, even to flatten Character: Liyang's Immortal City.

In the end, the proposal was naturally rejected.

The Seven Star Sword Sect only made some covert moves behind the scenes and did not dare to actually send people to kill inside Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Because Character: Liyang's threat was truly not to be taken lightly.

This near‑invincible Golden Core cultivator, should he ever return alive, even without achieving a Nascent Soul, would be able to revenge on the Seven Star Sword Sect and keep them overwhelmed.

Now Chen Shan Zhenren suspects that the seemingly young cultivator before him might be Character: Liyang in disguise!

A person's name is the shadow of a tree.

Cultivation level and even Soul Transformation aura can be disguised, but a technique or divine ability cannot be faked.

However, the cultivator before him is full of vitality, does not appear aged, and looks very different from Character: Liyang's image.

Moreover, according to reliable information obtained by the Seven Star Sword Sect, Character: Liyang has long left the Da Yu Cultivation World to assault the Nascent Soul realm, and is now highly unlikely to return, yet has come onto the Seven Star Sword Sect's territory.

Then…

"May I ask, is it Character: Liyang in person? Or Gu Zongyuan, the ancient City Lord?"

Chen Shan Zhenren asked in a deep voice.

Among Character: Liyang's many disciples, the one with the highest cultivation is the current City Lord of Character: Liyang Immortal City, Gu Zongyuan.

Considering that Gu Zongyuan has only formed a Golden Core for a little over a decade, even with exceptionally high Golden Core quality, he already possesses terrifying strength; even at the mid‑Golden Core stage he is quite formidable…

Such talent and potential are truly frightening!

Even Qin Feng, the soaring prodigy of Xingyue Palace with a flawless Golden Core, would likely be no different.

"Gu City Lord?"

Xiao Zhangqing was slightly stunned by the words and calmly replied, "Neither."

But in his mind he wondered whether, in inconvenient situations later, he could temporarily borrow the title of Gu Zongyuan.

Or perhaps impersonate Character: Liyang? After all, his use of the Character: Liyang True Technique inevitably evokes Character: Liyang's lineage.

"What, now you don't think I'm a Demon Lord, but a Calamity Cultivator or Evil Cultivator?" Xiao Zhangqing looked down with a half‑smile at Chen Shan Zhenren.

"I dare not… I dare not…" Chen Shan Zhenren struggled to stand, saying, "Your cultivation and divine abilities do not match any Demon Lord's traits in the Da Yu Cultivation World. Moreover, with your strength, you would likely disdain becoming a Calamity Cultivator…"

Xiao Zhangqing laughed, "I didn't expect your Seven Star Sword Sect's enforcement team to change their mindset so quickly; the bottom line is very flexible."

Chen Shan Zhenren's face flushed red, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood, but he forced a smile and said, "Earlier… perhaps the Jian Tian Mirror malfunctioned."

Whether the Jian Tian Mirror erred or not, and why it would err, Chen Shan Zhenren did not know.

But in his heart, he believed Xiao Zhangqing was indeed unlikely to be a Demon Lord.

Besides deploying the Character: Liyang True Technique, Xiao Zhangqing at this moment easily crushed his enforcement squad without killing them.

If he were truly a Demon Lord, he and all his squad members would already be dead.

"Earlier you seemed to address me as Dao Companion, showing some disapproval?" Xiao Zhangqing directed his gaze toward the young sword cultivator who activated the Jian Tian Mirror.

Whoa! The young sword cultivator's face turned death‑pale, and he lowered his proud head, trembling, "I, the junior, failed to recognize the great master and have offended you! Please, esteemed senior, overlook my transgression…"

Xiao Zhangqing chuckled lightly, "Enough, I am not a Demon Lord, and I bear no grudge against your Seven Star Sword Sect. Since your enforcement team also upholds the righteous path, I won't argue further today; let's all depart!"

"Thank… thank you, senior." The young sword cultivator exhaled with relief.

Chen Shan Zhenren's eyes also showed delight; without further hesitation, he prepared to leave with his subordinates.

But before departing, he did not forget the newly recruited Dark Spirit root disciple of Xuan Yin Pavilion; after a brief hesitation, he swiftly flew to the side of the girl Chen Yu, intending to bring her back to the sect. Such a rare prodigy would be a great loss if not taken back.

"Perhaps this is the hope of the Seven Star Sword Sect a hundred years from now!" Chen Shan Zhenren, you…

The elder Bai Su Zhenren of Xuan Yin Pavilion had just recovered from the shock of Xiao Zhangqing crushing the Seven Star Sword Sect's enforcement team, and secretly rejoiced, wondering whether after this upheaval the sect's members would forget, or dare not, to snatch people again.

But, unexpectedly, the other side remained so persistent that they never forgot Chen Yu.

Chen Shan Zhenren did not wish to prolong the entanglement; seeing Bai Su Zhenren attempt to block him, his gaze turned icy as he transmitted, "Bai Su Zhenren, do not refuse a toast only to be forced to drink. Think carefully—does Xuan Yin Pavilion have the right to oppose the Seven Star Sword Sect?"

No longer lofty as before, but filled with a threatening tone.

Bai Su Zhenren was seething with anger, extremely frustrated, yet the opponent's threatening words forced her to retreat, handing over the prodigy disciple she had painstakingly discovered.

"Senior Bai…"

The frightened girl Chen Yu looked anxiously at Chen Shan Zhenren and cast a pleading glance toward Bai Su Zhenren.

She was inexperienced, having never left the small town she lived in; it was Bai Su Zhenren who brought her out, and she felt very fond of Xuan Yin Pavilion, whose members are all female cultivators.

As for the Seven Star Sword Sect's cowardly behavior—defaming her as a Demon Lord earlier and now forcibly taking her—she was deeply resentful.

If she could choose, she would not want to go to the Seven Star Sword Sect.

"Let's go!"

Chen Shan Zhenren, not caring about appearances, grabbed Chen Yu and rushed toward the flying boat, thinking it best to leave first.

At that moment, Xiao Zhangqing's figure flashed, and Chen Shan Zhenren barely sensed the movement; the next instant he saw Xiao Zhangqing blocking his path and said, "Since the Jian Tian Mirror erred, the girl's earlier assessment was also flawed. She is not a Demon Cultivator; I can vouch for her, so she need not go to the Seven Star Sword Sect. Chen Shan Zhenren, what do you think?"

Xiao Zhangqing, though magnanimously merciful, did not slay the enforcement squad, wishing to avoid enmity with the Seven Star Sword Sect.

But that does not mean he has no objections.

It was one thing that those people hadn't acted on him earlier; he just pretended not to see it.

Now that they all strike at him, of course he wants to seize the chance, slip in a move, and give the Seven Star Sword Sect a taste of trouble.

"Sir… since you said so, there's obviously no problem. This young lady is not a demonic cultivator, so she doesn't need to follow us back to the sect for inspection," True Person Chen Shan clenched his teeth and swallowed it, daring not to voice any objection.

Because he knew very well that if he acted out of turn, not only would the talented seedling be lost, the whole team would be unable to leave! "Farewell!"

True Person Chen Shan took a deep breath, bowed, and ordered his subordinates to board the flying boat at once.

As the team members streamed in, Xiao Zhangqing suddenly smiled and said, "True Person Chen Shan, you can later add my name to the Seven Star Sword Sect's wanted list, let your sect's experts hunt me down; I don't mind. But before you do, I suggest you first ask your sect master: without cultivating demonic arts, what level of magical power and Soul Transformation strength is needed to shatter your artifact, the Jian Tian Mirror?"

True Person Chen Shan paused, said nothing more, dared not utter harsh words, dove into the flying boat without looking back, and then vanished as a flash of light.

"Thank you, Dao Companion, for your righteous help; the Xuan Yin Pavilion is eternally grateful!"

"Yu'er, come quickly to thank the senior!"

Bai Su, the True Person, thanked gratefully, pulling the young girl Chen Yu to his side to express his thanks to Xiao Zhangqing.

Yet Xiao Zhangqing clearly saw a trace of worry and tension in the girl's eyes, likely fearing that he might also covet the talented Dark Spirit Root.

"No need, it was merely a trivial effort."

Xiao Zhangqing gave a faint, knowing smile, said nothing more, waved his hand and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Bai Su finally breathed a sigh of relief, the heavy stone in his heart dropping.

He truly feared that she had just gone from the tiger's mouth into the wolf's den.

Watching Xiao Zhangqing depart so nonchalantly, with no intention of snatching anyone, Bai Su felt a pang of shame, realizing he had judged a gentleman with a petty mind.

"Dao Companion, please stay. May I ask your name? With your cultivation strength, the Xuan Yin Pavilion cannot assist, but Yu'er may have a chance to repay your kindness someday…" Bai Su called out hastily.

"Gu Zongyuan."

The voice came, and Xiao Zhangqing had already turned into a fleeing light, disappearing into the sky.

Bai Su sighed, "It seems there are still gentlemen of high virtue in the Cultivation World."

The young girl Chen Yu looked up and asked, "Senior Bai, who is this ancient senior?"

Bai Su shook his head, "Gu Zongyuan is now the city lord of Character: Liyang Immortal City, the top Scattered Cultivator city in the Da Yu Cultivation World. However, I suspect this Dao Companion may not truly be the ancient Dao Companion, though there is certainly some connection… If Yu'er cultivates to success and wishes to repay today's kindness, she can go to Character: Liyang Immortal City to look for clues."

Chen Yu nodded seriously, committing the matter firmly to memory. (End of chapter)