Chapter 255: This Disciple of Yours Is Much More Ruthless Than You Were

"Superior innate talent, and they will surely shine brilliantly for the sect in the future?" Yue Huang showed a look of astonishment upon hearing this.

He knew best that Zuo Dongge's vision was extremely high and he did not praise people easily.

"Why, Xu Shixiong, do you not believe me?" Zuo Dongge raised his eyebrows slightly.

"How could I not believe your words? It's just that I am very surprised that there is someone in the younger generation who could earn such appreciation from you, and there are two of them at that," Yue Huang smiled.

"Actually, there is one more, but the Heaven Jianfeng lineage already has three true disciples if you count Liu Qiaolian and Ji Wenyue. If we add one more, I'm afraid it would put you in a difficult position, Xu Shixiong, so I'll put it off for now and see how things go later," Zuo Dongge said.

"There is actually one more? It seems the Heaven Jianfeng lineage is about to flourish!" Yue Huang showed a look of surprise once again.

"Whether it can flourish or not, I'm afraid I won't be able to see it," Zuo Dongge said, his tone filled with the vicissitudes of life.

"If you can't see it, then I won't be able to see it even more," Yue Huang said.

Zuo Dongge fell silent upon hearing this.

For a time, the atmosphere was somewhat low.

"By the way, I heard from Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Xiao that the new disciple you took in is very formidable! He practices both Dao and Martial arts, has reached Foundation Establishment through Qi Refining, has opened the Blood Sea through body refining, and also has a powerful spiritual sense. A few months ago, he defeated Luo Mu twice in succession; he has quite a bit of your style from back in the day!" Yue Huang broke the silence.

"If we really compare strength, at this age, I am truly far inferior to him. However, regarding the path of body refining, as you know, opening the Blood Sea is already an anomaly; wanting to go further is very unlikely. And regarding the path of Qi Refining, looking at the current situation, this child has quite a bit of hope of reaching Core Formation, but whether he can break the Core to form the Nascent Soul is hard to say," Zuo Dongge said.

"Breaking the Core to form the Nascent Soul is difficult. Looking at the entire Qingyuan Sect today, among the Core Formation Elders, there is not a single one who can be considered a Nascent Soul seedling. Whether they can break the Core to form the Nascent Soul depends entirely on their own luck and fortune. If they are lucky and obtain a great fortuitous encounter, there is still hope of forming the Nascent Soul; otherwise, it will just be the Core breaking and the person dying.

It's not like you back in the day, with superior innate talent, a true Nascent Soul seedling. Back then, if you hadn't been schemed against, even without any great fortuitous encounter, as long as you followed the steps steadily, the hope of breaking the Core to form the Nascent Soul would have been very great.

Nowadays, we can only pin our hopes on the next generation of disciples. Li Tinggui and Shang Yiyang are quite good seedlings; it just depends on whether they can continue to maintain their momentum after reaching Core Formation," Yue Huang said.

"Among our generation, Xiao Hongyi still has some hope. As for the next generation, if the four disciples I have taken in now can grow up smoothly, they will definitely not lose to Li Tinggui and Shang Yiyang," Zuo Dongge said.

"Oh, you have such confidence?" Yue Huang couldn't help but be greatly moved.

"Actually, among my four disciples, the one I can't see clearly is my eldest disciple, Xia Daoming. This child has superior innate talent in body-refining martial arts, but unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era, so in terms of true potential, he is actually inferior to Liu Qiaolian and the other three.

But this child's actions always exceed my expectations; sometimes even I can't see him clearly. Perhaps there will be other variables in the future," Zuo Dongge said in a deep voice.

"Oh, since you say so, I have become curious; I must meet him one day," Yue Huang smiled.

"You want to meet him?" Zuo Dongge's expression was somewhat subtle.

"Is there a problem with me, his Sect Master Uncle, meeting him?" Yue Huang laughed.

"That is naturally not the case. Once you meet that brat, you will know," Zuo Dongge shook his head.

"Oh, since you say so, I want to meet him even more."

Before Yue Huang's voice had even faded, a man who looked very steady walked in.

"This disciple pays respects to Master and Uncle-Master." The man bowed.

"Bocai, is something the matter?" Yue Huang asked.

Ran Bocai glanced at Zuo Dongge, hesitating to speak.

"If there is something, just say it; your Uncle-Master Zuo is not an outsider," Yue Huang's face darkened slightly.

"Reporting to Master, it is Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan Ding who just issued a challenge to Xia Shidi Daoming, arranging a duel in the dueling arena, and he also invited quite a few other true disciples to watch.

Originally, this would be nothing, but this disciple is worried that since Uncle-Master Zuo has only just had the thought of taking in disciples after so many years, if Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan Ding defeats Xia Shidi, it would inevitably ruin Uncle-Master Zuo's mood, so I specifically came to report to Master," Ran Bocai said.

As soon as Ran Bocai said this, Yue Huang was stunned.

As for Zuo Dongge, he had long expected this day, so he didn't feel anything unexpected, but curiously looked at Yue Huang and asked: "Xu Shixiong, I haven't left the mountain for many years, so I didn't know you had another proud disciple. By the way, what is this Yan Ding's cultivation realm?"

"Early stage of Foundation Establishment, he has been in Foundation Establishment for six years," Yue Huang replied, a bitter smile on his face.

"Early stage of Foundation Establishment? He is at the early stage of Foundation Establishment and he is going to challenge Daoming?" This time it was Zuo Dongge's turn to be stunned.

"Isn't Xia Shidi also at the early stage of Foundation Establishment? Naturally, it should be a true disciple at the early stage of Foundation Establishment who goes to challenge him!" Ran Bocai blurted out.

"In that case, it must have been discussed by some true disciples," Zuo Dongge was a person of what caliber; upon hearing this, he immediately understood and stroked his beard, saying indifferently.

"No, no!" Seeing that he had been seen through by Zuo Dongge at a glance, Ran Bocai waved his hands in a panic.

No one knows a disciple better than their master.

As soon as Yue Huang saw Ran Bocai's reaction, how could he not know that Zuo Dongge had guessed correctly? He couldn't help but cry and laugh: "What do you mean 'no'? Is it your turn for this generation to help stand up for the matters of my generation?"

Ran Bocai lowered his head, not daring to speak.

"Fine, Xu Shixiong, let them compare; being beaten by Daoming is better than going out and being beaten by others. It's just that it will be a bit of a financial loss," Zuo Dongge waved his hand.

"Financial loss? What financial loss?" Yue Huang asked, looking puzzled.

"Bocai, this time Yan Ding is looking for Daoming to duel, what price did he offer?" Zuo Dongge turned to Ran Bocai and asked.

"150,000," Ran Bocai hesitated before replying.

"150,000? This is playing too big!" Yue Huang was shocked upon hearing this.

"It's considered very small. After all, Yan Ding is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. If it were Bocai, I estimate it would have to start at 1 million," Zuo Dongge said leisurely.

"You say it lightly. That disciple of mine is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment; 150,000 spirit stones is absolutely an astronomical figure," Yue Huang couldn't help but say angrily upon hearing this.

"Then it shouldn't be that much. After all, he is a true disciple and has his own industry. Besides, don't you have a Sect Master master?" Zuo Dongge said.

"Bullshit. I am the Sect Master; do you think I can just go to the treasury and take spirit stones? Don't I have to accumulate them bit by bit?" Yue Huang finally couldn't help but glare.

"Why are you getting angry at me? It's not my disciple looking for your disciple to duel; it's your disciple who insists on looking for my disciple to duel. If you lose spirit stones, do you still have to blame me? Just like back in the day, I was the one looking for you all, and yet you all were the ones looking for trouble for me," Zuo Dongge crossed his legs and glanced at Yue Huang.

Yue Huang was immediately choked back by Zuo Dongge's words; his old face flushed red, and he was left speechless.

"The younger generation is strong-willed, unwilling to admit defeat, and willing to stand up for the sect—that is a good thing. Why must you be so angry, Uncle-Master Zuo?" Seeing this, Ran Bocai said, unconvinced.

"Get out of here!" Upon hearing this, Yue Huang was almost exploded with anger; he pointed at the door and reprimanded.

"Master!" Ran Bocai's expression was filled with panic mixed with a trace of dissatisfaction.

"I told you to get out, so get out!" Yue Huang couldn't be bothered to explain and continued pointing at the door.

"Yes, then Master, Uncle-Master Zuo, this disciple takes his leave." Ran Bocai bowed helplessly and took his leave, though he did not lose his manners.

"The younger generation is strong-willed, unwilling to admit defeat, and willing to stand up for the sect—that is a good thing. Why must you be so angry, Xu Shixiong?" After Ran Bocai left, Zuo Dongge said leisurely.

"Stop pretending with me. Are you feeling very refreshed in your heart right now, wanting to laugh?" Yue Huang glared.

"How could that be! How could that be! Haha!" Zuo Dongge waved his hands repeatedly.

"Just laugh then! These little rabbits, they think we masters haven't lost enough face, and now they want to give us another round of losing face! Not only losing face, but also losing spirit stones for me!

150,000—just like that, sent away for nothing. What kind of damn thing is this! No, I must communicate with those disciples of mine; they cannot go out to fight anymore. Otherwise, how many spirit stones will be sent away? Just thinking about it makes my heart ache."

Yue Huang first glared at Zuo Dongge, then kept pulling his beard, looking like a money-grubbing, heart-aching person.

"Xu Shixiong, it shouldn't be that bad. You are, after all, the Sect Master; your salary is much higher than ours, the elders. At worst, just help them cover a bit," Zuo Dongge said indifferently upon seeing this.

"Good for you, Zuo Dongge, you think beautifully. I cover a bit, and then it all goes into your disciple's storage ring," Yue Huang couldn't help but glare.

"Then what else can we do? He is also a true disciple of our Qingyuan Sect. You are the Sect Master; you must look at it from a higher position," Zuo Dongge immediately said.

"I won't argue with you. I am going to the dueling arena now. Damn it, one duel and it's 150,000; this disciple of yours is much more ruthless than you were back in the day!" Yue Huang cursed.

"The student surpasses the master, right? Let's go, let's go; I'll go with you to take a look, lest that brat extorts too ruthlessly, and I, his master, lose face," Zuo Dongge stood up upon seeing this and patted Yue Huang on the shoulder.

"You lose face? I see you are glowing with health right now!" Yue Huang said angrily.

"How could that be! How could that be! Haha!" Zuo Dongge laughed loudly.

Qingyuan main peak, dueling arena.

Xia Daoming and a young man in white, with long, flowing hair, a tall, slender figure, and star-like eyes and sword-like brows, stood facing each other at a distance of seventeen or eighteen zhang.

In the dueling arena's spectator stands sat more than twenty people, each with vigorous and surging true essence and magic power, their cultivation not low, three of whom were at the Foundation Establishment perfection realm.

Ran Bocai, who had just been at the Sect Master's residence, was also there.

Everyone was staring at the dueling arena, full of anticipation.

Just at this moment, two men—one tall and burly, the other short and thin—appeared in the dueling arena.

Seeing these two appear, everyone was shocked and stood up one after another.

"Pay respects to the Sect Master, pay respects to Uncle-Master Zuo."

Seeing this, Xia Daoming and Yan Ding hurriedly prepared to leave the arena to pay their respects.

"You don't need to worry about us," Yue Huang waved his hand at the two in the dueling arena.

The two responded upon hearing this, only bowing from afar.

After paying their respects, Xia Daoming looked at Yan Ding and said: "Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan, are you sure you want to compete? Once you start, there is no turning back."

"Less nonsense. If you are afraid, just admit defeat; otherwise, stop chirping," Yan Ding said coldly.

"Very well then, please show mercy later, Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong!" Xia Daoming cupped his fists.

"Rest assured, I have a sense of proportion when I strike; I won't really hurt you," Yan Ding said.

"Xu Shixiong, this disciple of yours acts straightforwardly and generously; he has courage and confidence. I like him. Unlike Daoming, this brat, who is hesitant and long-winded—he is not a person who can do big things," Zuo Dongge turned to Yue Huang and said in a low voice.

Yue Huang's old face burned, and he looked up at the sky, speechless.

"Then begin!" While Yue Huang was looking up at the sky, speechless, Xia Daoming said.

"You go first!" Yan Ding said.

Yue Huang's old face burned even more.

"Very well then, I accept your concession, Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan." Xia Daoming cupped his fists slightly, then flicked his hand, and a Millennium Profound Bamboo Sword flew out.

Seeing this, Yan Ding also flicked his hand, and a long spear killed its way out.

As soon as the long spear killed its way out, it transformed into a yellow dragon, exuding astonishing momentum.

Xia Daoming's Millennium Profound Bamboo Sword also transformed into a green dragon at the appropriate time.

The two dragons fought in the air.

Yan Ding was indeed a true disciple under the Sect Master; the yellow dragon was baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, twisting and turning, not only changing in many ways but also having powerful force.

Xia Daoming saw that he liked it, so he learned the tricks of controlling magic tools taught by Zuo Dongge and activated the Millennium Profound Bamboo Sword to entangle with it.

After fighting for a while, Yan Ding's old bottom was completely emptied by Xia Daoming.

Xia Daoming felt there was no need to compete with him anymore, so he raised his hand to form a sword seal, and a sword light killed its way out.

Seeing Xia Daoming actually release another magic tool, Yan Ding was shocked in his heart and hurriedly activated the yellow dragon to block it.

It was just that the sword light was extremely fast, dodging the yellow dragon's interception with a few twists and turns.

Yan Ding was not afraid either; an earth-colored shield appeared in front of him.

It was just that the sword light suddenly rolled up a strong wind, drawing in billowing clouds and mist, the sword hidden in the wind and clouds like a poisonous snake lurking. Yan Ding was shocked in his heart and highly alert.

However, it was in vain.

A point of sword light killed its way out from a place Yan Ding hadn't expected, revealing the flying sword itself, and pressed against Yan Ding's neck.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 256 =====

After fighting for a moment, Yan Ding's few remaining trump cards were completely exhausted by Xia Daoming.

Xia Daoming felt there was no need to continue sparring with him, so he raised his hand to form a sword seal, and a streak of sword light shot out.

Seeing that Xia Daoming had released yet another magic treasure, Yan Ding was startled and hurriedly urged his Yellow Dragon to block it.

But the sword light was extremely fast, dodging the Yellow Dragon's interception with a few twists and turns.

Yan Ding was not afraid, and an earthen-colored shield appeared in front of him.

Yet that sword light suddenly whipped up a great wind, stirring up rolling clouds and mist; the sword was hidden within the wind and clouds like a venomous snake lying in wait. Yan Ding was startled and became highly vigilant.

However, it was all in vain.

A point of sword light struck from a direction Yan Ding never expected, revealing the flying sword itself, which came to rest against Yan Ding's neck.

(End of chapter)