Chapter 138: Wen Tianren Takes a Fancy to Fairy Ziling

The news that Yan Taibai was going to participate in the Zhaixing Assembly had no sooner spread than it stirred up a massive commotion and turbulent waves throughout Heavenly Star City and even the entire Chaotic Star Sea.

The islands of the Twenty-four Outer Star Islands, in particular, were filled with panic and worry.

One must know that as long as no accidents occurred during the Zhaixing Assembly, they could basically all retain their positions as Island Master for two or three consecutive terms.

It was rare for an island to be snatched away; at most, positions were swapped, which was considered normal.

But if Yan Taibai were to participate in the Zhaixing Assembly, there was not the slightest doubt that one of the Outer Star Islands would inevitably be targeted.

Yet, no one was certain which Outer Star Island it would be, though some observant cultivators had already noticed something.

It was the Sanyuan Star Island, which was adjacent to Tianjin Star Island; after all, the Spirit Stone veins and material veins within Tianjin Star Island were notable even when looking at the entire Inner Star Sea.

Moreover, this Tianjin Star Island had connections to both the Wanfa Sect and the Star Palace.

How could such a special island not be tempting to others?

Furthermore, those with keen minds had vaguely guessed the Star Palace's objective, especially after the righteous and demonic factions of the Wanfa Sect and Shengmo Island learned of it, they immediately sent envoys to the Miaoyin Sect in Heavenly Star City.

And the envoy from Shengmo Island was none other than the disciple of Liudao Jisheng of Shengmo Island: Wen Tianren.

Like Yan Taibai, he had achieved Golden Core before the age of one hundred, and before Yan Taibai came to the Chaotic Star Sea, he was the youngest Golden Core Stage Cultivator.

His status and identity were extraordinary, and in time, he was the most likely to inherit the position of Island Master of Shengmo Island from Liudao Jisheng.

On this day, while Yan Ruyan's Golden Core Ceremony was being held, over a dozen streaks of light flew in from the distant horizon.

These streaks of light were all a uniform red, and they were escorting an exquisite and magnificent flying beast-drawn carriage.

The carriage body was about six or seven zhang long, made entirely of an unknown fragrant wood, covered in layers of talismans, and emitting a faint white light.

In front of the carriage, three strange green birds pulled it forward; these strange birds were about a zhang in size, with six eyes and four wings, looking ferocious and grim, but they were extremely fast, arriving above the Miaoyin Sect in the blink of an eye.

Afterwards, the red streaks of light converged, revealing a group of beautiful young women, all in uniform light-green palace attire, with black hair coiled on top of their heads and twin swords strapped to their backs.

These female cultivators stood neatly on both sides of the beast carriage, each with lowered heads and solemn expressions, all possessing Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation.

Such a scene made the many cultivators who had come to the Miaoyin Sect to attend the Golden Core Ceremony feel curious.

With such a display, could it be a Nascent Soul cultivator!

This was the thought in the minds of most cultivators, and only a few recognized the identity of the newcomer.

"It is the Young Master of Shengmo Island, Wen Tianren!"

Once this voice rang out, everyone was in an uproar; was he here to offer congratulations, or to wreck the place!

This doubt arose in everyone's heart, and some even had a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes.

After all, the Miaoyin Sect's influence had grown too quickly over these years.

It had annexed too many gangs and sects, and if not for the constraints of the Star Palace, it would have had the momentum to unify a region of Heavenly Star City.

Now that Shengmo Island had come to their doorstep, it was truly for the best, and as for the reason, it naturally had to do with Tianjin Star Island.

After all, no one who could become a cultivator was a fool.

"I wonder what brings Young Master Wen here?"

Suddenly, a purple streak of light flew out from the largest guest hall of the Miaoyin Sect; it was none other than the current Sect Master of the Miaoyin Sect, Zhou Yuan.

Just moments ago, Zhou Yuan, Yan Taibai, and Yan Ruyan were all in the main hall entertaining the Golden Core Stage Cultivators who had come to offer congratulations, while the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators were being hosted by Miaoyin Sect disciples.

But she had not expected that the Young Master of Shengmo Island, Wen Tianren, would show up at this time, whether by coincidence or by design.

Therefore, she had no choice but to come out and welcome him personally!

"Naturally, I have come to congratulate your sect on the Golden Core success of Madam Yan Ruyan. Please forgive me for the intrusion, Sect Master Zhou."

At this moment, a man's voice came from inside the carriage, incomparably gentle.

Subsequently, the carriage curtain opened, revealing a barefoot young man in hemp clothing wearing a high crown, looking about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a delicate and scholarly appearance, and a faint golden glow shooting from between his brows; it was unknown what technique he was cultivating.

It was indeed the disciple of Liudao Jisheng, Wen Tianren, who was already at the Golden Core Mid-stage at a young age, not at all inferior to Yan Taibai.

"Then, Young Master Wen, please!"

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan could only smile charmingly and extend an invitation.

"Hmm! Sorry for the intrusion."

Wen Tianren looked around, quite satisfied with the envious and awe-filled gazes of the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators below, and after a slight nod, he left the carriage and followed Zhou Yuan toward the Miaoyin Sect's guest hall.

At this moment, in the main hall, Yan Taibai and Yan Ruyan sat in the seats of honor, while fifty or sixty other Golden Core cultivators, men and women, old and young, were seated throughout, each served by two beautiful female Foundation Establishment disciples of the Miaoyin Sect.

However, they were currently only communicating via voice transmission and did not make a sound, clearly waiting for something.

A moment later, Zhou Yuan and Wen Tianren stepped into the hall side by side.

"Young Master Wen, I did not expect you to come in person."

"The Young Master of Shengmo Island, why would he come?"

"It is likely for the matter of Tianjin Star Island."

As the two entered the hall, the Golden Core cultivators in the hall completely exploded into a flurry of discussion.

After all, Wen Tianren's status was extraordinary; as the Young Master of Shengmo Island, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would have to give him some face.

Wen Tianren did not care about the discussions of the many Golden Core cultivators in the hall; his gaze fell upon the beautiful figure beside the seats of honor.

This was a young girl of sixteen or seventeen.

The girl was draped in white gauze, her skin as smooth as jade, her satin-like black hair hanging down to her shoulders, her appearance beautiful and peerless, making her look like a fairy who did not eat the food of mortals, dreamlike and illusory.

At this moment, this stunningly beautiful girl was also paying attention to him, which made him smile slightly; his breeze-like smile not only failed to elicit a response from the girl, but instead caused her to knit her brows slightly and lower her head, looking no more.

This caused a hint of playfulness to emerge in Wen Tianren's eyes, and he then turned his gaze to the man and woman in the seats of honor, who were Yan Taibai and Yan Ruyan.

"I am the Young Master of Shengmo Island, Wen Tianren. I have met Fellow Daoist Yan and Fairy Ruyan. I have come here to congratulate Fairy Ruyan on condensing her Golden Core and having the prospect of longevity. This is a Yingyuan Pill as a congratulatory gift; I hope Fairy Ruyan will not mind."

Having said this, Wen Tianren took out a bottle of "Yingyuan Pill" he had prepared from his sleeve.

"What, a Yingyuan Pill? Such an ancient pill still exists. This is a primordial pill that can save a Golden Core Stage Cultivator fifty or sixty years of bitter cultivation."

"Indeed! If this old man could have obtained a Yingyuan Pill back then, I would not have been unable to break through to the Golden Core Mid-stage all this time."

"This young master of Shengmo Island is truly generous to be willing to part with such a pill. No wonder he broke through to the Golden Core Mid-stage at such a young age; it turns out he had a Yingyuan Pill."

Following the appearance of the "Yingyuan Pill," the great hall erupted into discussion and became incredibly lively.

After all, even though they were Golden Core Stage Cultivators, this type of spirit pill from the ancient, wild era was something they had only ever seen brief mentions of in ancient texts; as for seeing the real thing, it was truly their first time.

Naturally, they were all wide-eyed, filled with anticipation and envy, wishing they could take his place.

As for Yan Taibai, he had no interest in this kind of pill at all. Over these many years, he did not know how many Demon Cores he had obtained, how many miraculous spirit pills he had refined, or how many Golden Core Stage Cultivators he had killed to obtain their pills; all of these combined were more than enough for what Yan Ruyan needed before forming her Nascent Soul.

As for forming the Nascent Soul, whether it was the Nine-Curved Spirit Pill or the Dingling Pill, with his divine abilities and strength, obtaining them was not a difficult matter.

Moreover, he suspected that Wen Tianren could not possibly be this kind-hearted.

"If Young Master Wen has something to say, just say it! Such a generous gift is completely unnecessary."

Yan Taibai narrowed his eyes, staring at the smiling Wen Tianren, and declined in a flat tone.

Once these words were spoken, the great hall did not explode; instead, it quieted down and became deathly silent, as if everyone felt they had misheard.

Even Wen Tianren, this disciple of Liudao Jisheng, felt a moment of astonishment upon hearing this.

But it only lasted for a moment before he returned to normal.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, this Yingyuan Pill is a gift for your wife. Is it not a bit inappropriate for you to refuse so directly?"

Wen Tianren's smile did not fade as he asked.

"My husband's intent is my intent. If Young Master Wen has something to say, just say it."

Before the words had faded, Yan Ruyan, who was beside Yan Taibai, pursed her lips into a smile and opened her sandalwood mouth to speak.

"Since that is the case, then I have been presumptuous. However, Fellow Daoist Yan is right; I do indeed have an unbidden request. I hope Fellow Daoist Yan can agree, and I will be eternally grateful. If there are any commands in the future, I will never refuse."

Wen Tianren did not force the issue; after taking back the "Yingyuan Pill," he cupped his hands toward Yan Taibai and said.

His tone carried a rare hint of pleading, making people curious and as if they had guessed something.

"Oh! Since it is an unbidden request, then don't say it. Just shut your mouth."

Upon hearing this, Yan Taibai spoke a sentence that left everyone in the great hall astonished and was completely blunt.

Once these words were out, Wen Tianren's complexion looked like he was mourning, exceptionally ugly, yet he had to force a smile, his voice sounding slightly hoarse and unpleasant.

"I feel it is better to say it out loud, so that Fellow Daoist Yan can consider it? What does Fellow Daoist Yan think?"

When Wen Tianren said this, a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, but he concealed it well.

"Oh! Then fine! Hurry up and say it! Once you're done, leave! There is no place for you here."

Yan Taibai continued to speak coldly and without any courtesy.

As for Shengmo Island, they would be enemies sooner or later anyway, and since this Wen Tianren had come with ill intent, he naturally would not be courteous.

For those with hostility and ill intent, he never knew how to write the word "courtesy."

Moreover, in his eyes, although Wen Tianren was far superior to ordinary Golden Core Stage Cultivators, it was just a matter of one sword strike; there was no need to waste a second sword, and there was really no need to be polite.

They were already not cultivators of the same rank!

If Liudao Jisheng had come in person, he might have been three parts courteous, but a mere Wen Tianren? Forget it! He really did not need to take him seriously.

As his voice fell, Wen Tianren's face no longer held a trace of a smile, and the other Golden Core Stage Cultivators in the hall, including Zhou Yuan, had expressions that were equally astonished and tinged with strangeness.

Was this not too arrogant!

He completely disregarded Wen Tianren, this young master of Shengmo Island and the only disciple of Liudao Jisheng.

After all, in the hearts of most cultivators in the Chaotic Star Sea, Wen Tianren's status was on par with Yan Taibai, or perhaps even higher—after all, Shengmo Island was the number one local Demonic Path force.

They had as many as twenty or thirty Nascent Soul cultivators, plus Liudao Jisheng, the number one person of the Demonic Path and a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage.

While Yan Taibai only had one mysterious martial uncle who was suspected to be a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage, and the Miaoyin Sect, which did not have a single Nascent Soul cultivator; which was stronger and which was weaker went without saying.

Yet even so, Yan Taibai was far too impolite.

"Fine, then I will speak plainly. Just now, I was struck by the beauty of the fairy beside Fellow Daoist Yan and wish to become dao companions with her. I hope Fellow Daoist Yan will grant this."

Once these words were spoken, the jade face of Ziling Xianzi, who was serving beside Yan Taibai, turned crimson; her expression was both shy and annoyed, making one's heart beat faster—at the very least, a hint of fiery heat grew in Wen Tianren's eyes.

Zhou Yuan's expression, however, was somewhat ugly; she never expected that Wen Tianren, this disciple of Liudao Jisheng and young master of Shengmo Island, would actually take a fancy to her daughter.

Although her daughter was as beautiful as a celestial, with almost no one in the entire Chaotic Star Sea to compare with her, was this not too direct?

But ugly expression aside, she was not worried that Yan Taibai would agree.

She had sufficient confidence in Yan Taibai.

"Hahaha, Young Master Wen truly has a good eye to have taken a fancy to this girl, Ning'er. However, this girl grew up under my watch; it is not an exaggeration to say she is half a disciple. It is absolutely impossible for her to become your dao companion. You should leave."

Yan Taibai instead laughed out loud and refused directly.

And his words caused a flash of disappointment to cross the bright eyes of the shy and annoyed Ziling Xianzi.

It was not disappointment at being unable to become Wen Tianren's dao companion, but disappointment at the four words "half a disciple."

But Yan Taibai's thoughts were not on her, so he naturally did not notice; instead, the observant Yan Ruyan noticed, and then her gaze fell upon Yan Taibai, a strange look flashing in her eyes.

Yan Taibai likewise did not notice, because his thoughts were all on the green-and-white-faced Wen Tianren; he had no heart to pay attention to so many things.

"Fine, fine, fine. Since that is the case, then this young master will take his leave. I hope Fellow Daoist Yan can win his desired island at the upcoming Zhaixing Assembly."

A moment later, the rejected Wen Tianren laughed out of extreme anger and congratulated Yan Taibai.

After speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left in a rage, which made the other Golden Core Stage Cultivators in the hall feel a trace of unease, yet they could not leave.

"Brother Taibai, it seems this Young Master Wen of Shengmo Island has held a grudge against you."

Yan Ruyan said with a worried expression.

"It doesn't matter. Let him hold a grudge. Anyway, he is not Liudao Jisheng. If Liudao Jisheng had come in person, I might have been three parts wary and courteous. As for him, he is just a young master; he counts for nothing."

Yan Taibai said without the slightest concern.

"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yan."

At this moment, Ziling Xianzi, who had let out a sigh of relief, also hurriedly spoke to express her thanks.

"No need, but for these next few years, you should honestly stay in the cave dwelling and cultivate. I feel that this Young Master Wen will not let this matter rest easily."

Yan Taibai opened his mouth to offer a reminder.

"Ning'er understands, Uncle-Master Yan may rest assured."

Ziling Xianzi performed a respectful bow and said in a deferential tone.

……

(End of this chapter)