Chapter 205: I Dislike This Man

"Big brother, you're back!" Lan Xue smiled brightly upon seeing Xia Daoming.

"Congratulations on becoming an inner sect disciple, and on joining Mo Zhanglao's lineage," Xia Daoming said with a smile.

"It's all because of Big Xu Shixiong that I have today," Lan Xue said with deep gratitude.

"You're being too formal with me," Xia Daoming said.

Lan Xue smiled and dropped the pleasantries, inviting Xia Daoming to sit while she went to prepare tea and snacks.

Soon, Lan Xue brought over the tea and snacks.

"How does it feel to be an inner sect disciple?" Xia Daoming sipped his tea and asked.

"Besides Mo Zhanglao personally guiding me—which has helped immensely—there's been no other difference so far," Lan Xue replied.

"How could there be no difference yet?" Xia Daoming said, surprised.

"The biggest change for new inner sect disciples is having a dedicated Foundation Establishment elder to guide them, and a significant increase in monthly stipends. But since I already have the resources you gave me, that increase hardly matters anymore," Lan Xue replied.

"So the problem is on my end," Xia Daoming realized, slapping his forehead.

"Exactly!" Lan Xue smiled, lips pursed.

"By the way, how has Mo Zhanglao treated you?" Xia Daoming asked again.

"Mo Zhanglao has been very kind, patiently teaching and answering my questions. I feel I've gained a lot—I suspect I'll reach Qi Refining eighth layer soon," Lan Xue replied.

"So fast! You really do have a talent for cultivation," Xia Daoming said happily.

"How could I compare to Big Xu Shixiong and your two sisters-in-law?" Lan Xue quickly demurred.

Xia Daoming smiled without comment.

"By the way, Big Xu Shixiong, Mo Zhanglao severely punished Mo Mo Ru Jun over the Wanluo Secret Realm incident and forbade her from seeking her guidance again," Lan Xue said.

"Hss!" Xia Daoming sucked in a breath. "That's effectively cutting ties? Mo Zhanglao must be deeply disappointed in Mo Mo Ru Jun."

"It wouldn't have come to this if Mo Mo Ru Jun had sincerely apologized and begged for mercy—Mo Zhanglao wouldn't have been so harsh. But after returning, she slandered you, and that's what made Mo Zhanglao furious and withdrew all further chances," Lan Xue said.

"She slandered me?" Xia Daoming paused, then said: "She's overestimated herself and brought this on herself. How old is she? How old is Mo Zhanglao? She was raised under Mo Zhanglao's watch—any small scheming she tried, Mo Zhanglao saw through clearly."

"Mo Zhanglao is a wise, discerning elder. When you study under her, besides humbly asking about Dao techniques, you must also learn how to conduct yourself—otherwise you'll suffer later."

"I understand, Big Xu Shixiong," Lan Xue replied obediently.

"Now that you're an inner sect disciple under Mo Zhanglao's guidance, I can rest easy. I'm returning to Changqing Lake. If anything happens, come find me there. If you want to further study alchemy, you're welcome anytime. But don't let anyone know about your alchemy—others will come begging, and you won't know how to refuse," Xia Daoming said, rising.

"Yes, Big Xu Shixiong!" Lan Xue immediately stood up.

The sky darkened.

Xia Daoming returned to the Hidden Dragon Dwelling at Changqing Lake.

Ji Ji Wenyue and Liu Liu Qiaolian had already been waiting for him there.

That night, the three played Dou Dou Dizhu; Ji the Young Lady put in real effort and played perfectly.

The next day.

Ji Ji Wenyue went to Bai Ze Dwelling as usual.

Xia Daoming and Liu Liu Qiaolian stayed at the Hidden Dragon Dwelling, each cultivating.

At noon, Xia Daoming remembered the six talismans he obtained in the second trial of the secret realm and took them out for Liu Liu Qiaolian to examine.

Liu Liu Qiaolian studied them for a long while but could not identify their type—she only sensed they were related to space.

Seeing Liu Liu Qiaolian didn't recognize them, Xia Daoming put them away, planning to ask Shang Rui at Bai Ze Dwelling.

As Xia Daoming stepped outside, he hadn't walked far when he saw a familiar back walking ahead.

Ma Ma Tianliang carried a basket of pastries, happily imagining what new gains he'd get from Shang Rui today, when he suddenly sensed someone behind him and instinctively turned his head.

Ma Ma Tianliang froze—it was Xia Daoming.

Xia Daoming wasn't particularly surprised to see Ma Ma Tianliang here.

After all, Changqing City was under Qingyuan Sect's control, and Ma Ma Tianliang was an inner sect disciple—it was normal for him to know someone or stroll around Changqing Lake.

But Ma Ma Tianliang was deeply startled; it took him a moment to recover. A sneer of mockery curled his lips—he turned to walk away, then hesitated, turned back, and walked toward Xia Daoming.

"Xia Daoming, this is Changqing Lake—a key area of Changqing City. Those who live here are either Foundation Establishment elders or cultivators with powerful connections. Unrelated outsiders aren't allowed to wander here."

"You're a Qingyuan Sect disciple, but you're an outer sect disciple. Best not to loiter here—you'll only get thrown out and humiliate yourself."

Ma Ma Tianliang stepped up to Xia Daoming, pretending to give earnest advice, then turned and walked off without waiting for a reply.

Watching Ma Ma Tianliang's smug back disappear, Xia Daoming was speechless.

This guy had an inflated sense of self-worth.

But soon, Xia Daoming was even more speechless.

Because he saw from afar that Ma Ma Tianliang had knocked on the door of Bai Ze Dwelling—and walked inside.

"No way—does this kid actually know Sister Rui?" Xia Daoming frowned slightly.

To him, Ma Ma Tianliang was merely a nuisance.

Normally, Xia Daoming let Ma Ma Tianliang jump around—he didn't bother with him. But when he finally got on Xia Daoming's nerves, it would take only one slap.

So when Ma Ma Tianliang boasted just now, Xia Daoming didn't care.

But if Ma Ma Tianliang had ties to Shang Rui, Xia Daoming couldn't ignore it.

"Hmph, whatever your connection. Unless you're Rui's own son, you won't get any favors from her."

Xia Daoming gave a cold smile and walked toward Bai Ze Dwelling.

Bai Ze Dwelling.

Ma Ma Tianliang saw a tall, sturdy woman in Shang Rui's home and felt a slight sinking in his chest, a flicker of caution.

"Ma Tianliang, you're here? Is there something you need?" Shang Rui, in high spirits, smiled warmly at Ma Ma Tianliang—a rare, kind elder's expression, unlike her usual coldness.

Ma Ma Tianliang was stunned—Shang Rui had never smiled at him before. His heart leapt; he hurried forward. "Nothing urgent—I just finished my training and came to visit Auntie Zeng, and brought you some Yunxiang Studio's Qionghua Yulu pastries—you like them."

Shang Rui was the biological sister of Ma Ma Tianliang's great-great-grandmother and a close friend of his great-grandmother. Though they had no blood tie, since Ma Ma Tianliang first came calling, he'd constantly called her "Auntie Zeng."

This term was far more intimate than "senior."

Recently, Shang Rui, nearing her end, had been emotionally moved by the sight of old acquaintances. Though outwardly cold, when Ma Ma Tianliang called her "Auntie Zeng," it stirred memories from her past.

"You're such a thoughtful child," Shang Rui said, her face softening further as she saw Ma Ma Tianliang's reverent expression.

"It's my duty," Ma Ma Tianliang replied, looking earnest and humble.

"Come, Lu Ziying, have some of Ma Tianliang's pastries," Shang Rui called to Lu Lu Ziying in the courtyard.

Ji Ji Wenyue was inside, studying a pill formula—Shang Rui didn't disturb her.

"Alright," Lu Lu Ziying replied, a flicker of reluctance in her eyes.

Lu Lu Ziying was tall and burly, with a rugged appearance, but her mind was meticulous and her senses sharp.

Earlier, when she opened the door for Ma Ma Tianliang, his gaze had been complex—disgust and contempt for her looks, plus wariness. Though he quickly switched to a humble, affectionate demeanor, Lu Lu Ziying had already labeled him a hypocrite.

As Lu Lu Ziying sat down to share the pastries with Shang Rui, a knock came at the door.

Shang Rui was about to speak, but Ma Ma Tianliang rushed to open it.

Shang Rui let him—he thought Ma Ma Tianliang and Xia Daoming were sectmates; it'd be good for them to meet.

"Xia Daoming? What are you doing here? Is this even a place for you?" Ma Ma Tianliang's face darkened as he saw Xia Daoming, and he snapped.

Hearing this, Shang Rui's heart sank—she stepped out of the parlor and barked: "Ma Tianliang, show respect!"

Lu Lu Ziying followed her out.

"Auntie Zeng, you misunderstand—he's a new outer sect disciple from the Spirit Field Hall. He probably just…" Ma Ma Tianliang hurried to explain.

"I know. He's my friend. He didn't get lost," Shang Rui cut him off.

"What?" Ma Ma Tianliang froze, stunned.

"Auntie Zeng?" Xia Daoming frowned. "Sister Rui, is Ma Ma Tianliang your sister's great-great-grandson?"

"Sister Rui!"

Ma Ma Tianliang had only been shocked that Xia Daoming knew Shang Rui—but now, hearing Xia Daoming's address, his hair stood on end, cold sweat bursting from his forehead.

Just then, Ji Ji Wenyue stepped out. "Husband, you're here! Oh, what's wrong?" She smiled brightly at Xia Daoming, then sensed the tension.

"Husband!"

Hearing Ji Ji Wenyue's address for Xia Daoming, Ma Ma Tianliang's heart plummeted.

He realized—this woman was Xia Daoming's wife.

"It's all a misunderstanding! Elder Xu Shixiong Xia, I'm sorry—I didn't know you knew Auntie Zeng! My apologies!" Ma Ma Tianliang reacted instantly, bowing repeatedly with sincere remorse.

Xia Daoming ignored Ma Ma Tianliang and looked at Shang Rui.

Seeing Xia Daoming ignore Ma Ma Tianliang, Shang Rui's expression turned cold. She answered his earlier question: "Ma Ma Tianliang is my sister's great-great-grandnephew, and also the great-great-grandson of an old friend I once served in the Ma family. That's why he calls me Auntie Zeng. Did you two have some misunderstanding before?"

She added the final question.

"I don't like this man," Xia Daoming replied simply.

Those three words instantly chilled Shang Rui's face.

Her gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade, fixed on Ma Ma Tianliang. "Ma Ma Tianliang, leave now. Never set foot in Bai Ze Dwelling again."

After all she'd witnessed, Shang Rui knew Xia Daoming's character better than anyone.

In essence, he was the same as Lan Xue.

If he said he disliked someone, how could she cling to the trivial connection she had with Ma Ma Tianliang?

"Auntie Zeng, let me explain—I…" Ma Ma Tianliang trembled, face pale, desperate to plead.

"No explanation needed! Anyone Xia Daoming dislikes, I dislike!" Shang Rui said coldly. Without waiting for a reply, a long vine blooming in the courtyard suddenly stretched out, coiled around Ma Ma Tianliang, and hurled him out of Bai Ze Dwelling.

As Ma Ma Tianliang hit the ground, a basket of pastries flew after him and landed before him.

Ma Ma Tianliang stared at the basket, limbs numb, body shaking, mind blank.

He never imagined Xia Daoming not only knew Shang Rui—but that their bond was this unbreakable.

With just those words of dislike, Shang Rui—who had moments earlier worn the benevolent face of an elder—gave him no chance to explain, and simply threw him out the door.

"How could this happen? How could this happen?"

"How is this possible? He's merely a Martial Dao Grand Master!"

"Why? Why on earth?"

All that promised wealth and fortune had vanished before his eyes!

Ma Ma Tianliang's heart burned with bitter resentment.

Especially since the man was Xia Daoming—this made his resentment even sharper, and he even began to hate Shang Rui.

He couldn't understand why Shang Rui cared so much for and trusted Xia Daoming.

Why didn't Shang Rui even give him a chance to explain?

He was the blood descendant of her old friend, and a core disciple of Qingyuan Sect, with extraordinary cultivation talent; no matter how you compared, he was far superior to this thirty-year-old outsider at just Qi Refining Seventh Layer!

Xia Daoming's path was clearly nearing its end, while his own future was limitless!

And that beautiful alchemist woman—she was Xia Daoming's wife! This filled Ma Ma Tianliang with equal parts resentment and seething jealousy.

A beautiful flower stuck in cow dung!

But no matter how bitter or jealous he felt, Ma Ma Tianliang dared not knock on the door again.

A Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator was not someone he, Ma Ma Tianliang, could provoke!

Ma Ma Tianliang stared at the tightly shut door, his expression shifting darkly for a long while before he finally left, dejected.

Ma Ma Tianliang was ultimately a man of depth; on his way back, he gradually calmed his resentment, jealousy, and anger, and began to review everything related to Xia Daoming.

But as he reviewed each detail, his resentment, jealousy, and even rage surged back into his heart.

"No wonder he didn't care about that spirit field—he's backed by Shang Rui! No, there's also Lan Xue! Yes, Lan Xue—she was once a pauper, yet suddenly ascended to Qi Refining Seventh Layer at the last moment, and even possessed three magic treasures, one of which was a top-tier defensive artifact!

That artifact rivaled high-grade offensive treasures, worth tens of thousands of spirit stones; even many outer sect elders probably couldn't afford it! How could she possibly afford it? I thought she'd just stumbled upon an abandoned cave, but now it's clear: it must have been given to her by Xia Daoming.

Shang Rui's time is running out, and she trusts Xia Daoming completely—she's clearly preparing to pass on all her life's savings to him, so whatever he wants, she gives. A few magic treasures mean little to her, though they'd be priceless to most Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Thinking of this, Ma Ma Tianliang's jealousy burned like fire, his heart pierced by knives.

All of this should have been his!

In his mind, Xia Daoming had taken advantage of Shang Rui's impending death, manipulated her emotions, and deceived her.

Back at his residence, Ma Ma Tianliang remained deeply unsettled.

He paced like a restless caged beast, wandering the room.

At that moment, Zhong Meng came to see him.

Seeing Zhong Meng, Ma Ma Tianliang remembered: if not for her, he wouldn't have clashed with Xia Daoming, and wouldn't have been thrown out by Shang Rui today. His anger flared instantly.

But Zhong Meng seemed not to notice Ma Ma Tianliang's fury; instead, she beamed with excitement: "Master Ma, Jia Jia Shaoxuan has successfully established his Foundation!"

Just as Ma Ma Tianliang was about to explode, he heard this and his face changed instantly—he blurted out in shock: "What? Jia Jia Shaoxuan established his Foundation?"

"Yes! Not only did he establish his Foundation, but he was also taken in as a nominal disciple by Elder Luo Luo Qian!" Zhong Meng's face glowed with excitement.

"He was taken in as a nominal disciple by Elder Luo Luo Qian!" Ma Ma Tianliang's expression shifted again, his emotions tangled.

Jia Jia Shaoxuan was Zhong Meng's distant cousin; through her deliberate efforts, the two had grown close.

As a core disciple, and through Zhong Meng's connection, Ma Ma Tianliang had also maintained a good relationship with Jia Jia Shaoxuan.

Logically, Jia Jia Shaoxuan's success in Foundation Establishment and his acceptance as a nominal disciple by a Jin Dan elder should have made Ma Ma Tianliang happy—but instead, he felt only bitterness and envy.

"Yes, he established his Foundation at only twenty-three, and was taken in by a Jin Dan elder—his future is boundless; he might even become a Jin Dan elder himself one day!

Whether or not he ever becomes a Jin Dan elder, he's now a nominal disciple of Elder Luo Luo Qian—his status in the sect already surpasses core disciples like Mo Mo Yongzhi, and he'll receive the sect's top cultivation resources.

Given my relationship with Jia Jia Shaoxuan, he'll surely help me advance; with his backing, I might reach Qi Refining Peak before thirty-five. Once I reach Qi Refining Peak, with his influence, I'll surely enter the inner sect.

Hmph, compared to Jia Jia Shaoxuan, what is Xia Daoming? When the time comes, he'll definitely speak up and teach him a lesson." Zhong Meng, lost in her excitement, failed to notice Ma Ma Tianliang's complex expression and continued speaking, her eyes filled with longing.

"Xia Daoming!" Hearing those three words, Ma Ma Tianliang's heart jolted—he snapped awake, his mind racing.

"That's right—compared to Master Jia, Xia Daoming means nothing." His mind turning, Ma Ma Tianliang nodded in agreement.

In Qingyuan Sect, Foundation Establishment cultivators automatically rank one generation above Qi Refining cultivators.

"Master Jia?" Zhong Meng blinked in surprise.

"Jia Jia Shaoxuan is now a Foundation Establishment cultivator—you should address him as Master Jia," Ma Ma Tianliang said.

"Right, right—thank you for reminding me, Master Ma!" Zhong Meng nodded eagerly.

"Now that Master Jia has established his Foundation and been taken in by Elder Luo Luo Qian, we should host a banquet to celebrate him," Ma Ma Tianliang added.

"Exactly! I was just coming to discuss this with you," Zhong Meng said.

——

Bai Ze Residence.

After driving Ma Ma Tianliang away, Shang Rui did not ask Xia Daoming why he disliked him.

To her, it was unimportant.

But Ji Ji Wenyue was curious, and asked about Ma Ma Tianliang.

Only then did they learn that Ma Ma Tianliang, as the steward disciple, had secretly supported Zhong Meng in bullying Lan Xue—and, angered by Xia Daoming's interference, had even maliciously assigned him a poor-quality spirit field.

Though Xia Daoming didn't care about the income from that field, to Ji Ji Wenyue and the others, this act was deeply vile.

"I never thought Ma Ma Tianliang was so vile—he bullied Lan Xue, and now he's even bullied my husband! It makes me furious!" Ji Ji Wenyue said, face flushed with anger.

"I never imagined Ma Ma Tianliang was such a vile person—I thought he was honest and kind, and remembering his late grandmother's old ties to me, I even gave him several Qi-accumulating Pills!" Shang Rui's face darkened.

"Heh, he's just a petty man—hardly worth getting angry over. Sister, you've seen so much—could you help me examine this talisman?" Xia Daoming smiled indifferently, then pulled out a box.

"Talisman?" Shang Rui's gaze fell on the box, her expression turning curious and serious.

Anything Xia Daoming brought specifically to ask her about couldn't be an ordinary talisman.

Xia Daoming opened the box and pushed it toward Shang Rui.

"Sister, take a look."

"This is…" Shang Rui's eyes landed on the talisman, and her pupils shrank instantly.

(End of Chapter)