Chapter 26: I Don't Like Riding with Men!

Chen Zheng heard it, his brows knit into a frown, and his cold gaze fixed on the young man standing with arms crossed in the pavilion.

He didn't know the man, yet the man spoke harshly, making it seem as if he owed him money.

He would never tolerate such nonsense.

He instantly summoned the spiritual power in his mind to his eyes, preparing to give the young man a lesson.

Having attained the Physical Body Ninth Layer of the Spirit-Communicating Realm, a warrior gains the ability to influence others' thoughts.

The mental technique within the Nether King True Body is even stronger; under its piercing gaze, anyone whose will is not especially firm would instantly be frightened into a panicked, involuntary mess.

This is called "witnessing".

Chen Zheng was about to use witnessing to make the young man soil himself.

As for the consequences, he could invoke Fang Qingxue's name to deal with them.

Moreover, after careful study over this period, he discovered that the snow seal Fang Qingxue gave him was not a simple recommendation letter.

Because the purple lightning cluster on it kept gathering without dispersing, and seemed ready to strike, it made Chen Zheng feel danger.

That cluster of lightning could clearly be used to attack others, delivering Fang Qingxue's strike!

Chen Zheng guessed that Fang Qingxue's reason for sending him to the Yuhua Gate assessment within three months had another meaning.

Namely, within three months, the snow seal could protect him fully, helping him safely cross the sea to reach Yuhua Gate.

And after three months, the purple lightning cluster on the snow seal would automatically vanish.

Thinking about it, even the strongest warriors risk falling when crossing the vast ocean to Yuhua Gate.

That's why Fang Qingxue gave him a short-term talisman.

If Chen Zheng were forced to the extreme, using this talisman to blast the cultivators of Shen Tong Mi Jing would not be impossible.

But just as Chen Zheng was about to give the young man a lesson, Liu Suiyun beside him suddenly tugged his sleeve.

At the same time, a hurried voice reached Chen Zheng's ear: "Brother Chen, you must not act rashly."

"Transmitting voice into secrecy?"

Chen Zheng tilted his head slightly, glanced at Liu Suiyun, and realized the hurried voice was a magical transmission.

Seeing his gaze, Liu Suiyun subtly shook his head.

He transmitted again: "The person seated opposite Daoist Qing Ling is Lord Xiao Buye of the Nocturnal Island, whose power is immense and not one ordinary person can afford to offend. That young man is his only son, Xiao Shi."

His tone carried a weight, as if he was quite wary of Xiao Buye.

"Xiao Buye and Xiao Shi, huh?"

Chen Zheng seemed deep in thought.

In the Book of Immortality, there is indeed a Xiao Buye, whose wife is a true disciple of the Linglong Blessing Land.

As for Xiao Shi, that little wretch, he is a sycophant of Fang Qingxue's sister, Fang Qingwei.

At that moment, the middle‑aged man in black within the pavilion, Xiao Buye, turned to Xiao Shi standing behind him and scolded: "Shi, you must not be disrespectful to Daoist Liu in person."

"Father, how could I be disrespectful?"

Xiao Shi pursed his lips and muttered, paying no heed to Liu Suiyun at all.

Xiao Buye ignored him, his gaze sweeping over Chen Zheng and landing on Liu Suiyun, then chuckled: "Daoist Liu's junior here, like my son Xiao Shi, also wants to ride the Swift Wind Divine Eagle to Yuhua Gate for the assessment? Unfortunately, Daoist Qing Ling's Swift Wind Divine Eagle is only one, and I arrived first; Liu Daoist's request to borrow it is probably impossible."

"This…"

Liu Suiyun's face stiffened, and he hurriedly looked at Daoist Qing Ling beside him, his eyes asking.

He hadn't expected Xiao Buye also to borrow the Swift Wind Divine Eagle to send Xiao Shi to Yuhua Gate.

Daoist Qing Ling felt a bit embarrassed under Liu Suiyun's gaze, his eyes darting away, unwilling to meet his stare.

He cleared his throat and said, "Daoist Liu, Lord Xiao indeed departed before you; according to the rules, the Swift Wind Divine Eagle should be lent to him first."

With those words, Xiao Buye's smile deepened.

Xiao Shi cast a smug glance at Chen Zheng.

Liu Suiyun's expression turned extremely sour in an instant.

Borrowing the Swift Wind Divine Eagle to send Chen Zheng to Yuhua Gate was something he had clearly arranged with Daoist Qing Ling seven days earlier.

But Xiao Buye abruptly blocked it.

Even Daoist Qing Ling also…

Observing his attitude, he didn't mention the seven‑day agreement at all, clearly unwilling to keep the promise. Further discussion would probably still fail to persuade Daoist Qing Ling to change his mind and lend the Swift Wind Divine Eagle.

The reason is simple: he can afford to offend, but Xiao Buye cannot.

"Let's go!"

Liu Suiyun's expression shifted several times, and finally he gritted his teeth, called out to Chen Zheng, and swept his sleeve to depart.

"Daoist Liu, wait a moment."

Xiao Buye suddenly spoke.

Liu Suiyun halted his steps, turned his head, and looked at Xiao Buye.

Xiao Buye smiled lightly: "The Swift Wind Divine Eagle is massive; it's not that it can't accommodate another rider. I could take you, junior, but…"

"Father, I don't like riding with others, especially men!" Xiao Shi said angrily, cutting off Xiao Buye's words.

"Shut up."

This novel you…

Xiao Buye glared at Xiao Shi, then gave Liu Suiyun an apologetic smile: "My son is accustomed to being willful; Daoist Liu, don't take it to heart."

"But what?"

Liu Suiyun paid no attention to Xiao Shi, instead staring at Xiao Buye, waiting silently for what would follow.

"But…"

What followed, Xiao Buye's words were left unsaid, presumably he was transmitting privately to Liu Suiyun.

Chen Zheng could not hear.

But Liu Suiyun stood rooted in place, his expression clouded and unsettled, clearly Xiao Buye had presented him with some condition.

After a long while, Liu Suiyun let out a sigh, nodded, and said, "I have agreed to this."

"Daoist Liu, this is a good thing for you. Moreover, Daoist Qing Ling has already agreed, so why the worried frown?" Xiao Buye chuckled, seeming in a fine mood.

Then he turned to Daoist Qing Ling and said, "Daoist Qing Ling, first have your Swift Wind Divine Eagle escort my son and the junior of Daoist Liu to the Feather Transformation Gate; we will discuss the great matter later."

"Very well."

Daoist Qing Ling lowered his brows, clapped his hands, and a high, resonant eagle cry rang through the heavens.

Then Chen Zheng saw a golden great eagle, its size larger than three adult elephants combined, appear in the sky, diving like lightning, its body bathed in sunlight as if forged of gold; in an instant it landed in the courtyard, stirring a gust of wind.

Xiao Buye waved his hand and said, "Shi Er, go up."

Xiao Shi's expression remained unruffled, yet he dared not defy Xiao Buye, glared fiercely at Chen Zheng, then leapt onto the golden eagle's back.

Liu Suiyun said to Chen Zheng, "Little brother Chen, you should go as well; may you soon tread the immortal path."

Chen Zheng did not move, his voice low, "Did he force Senior Liu?"

If Liu Suiyun was compelled by Xiao Buye, then the Swift Wind Divine Eagle need not be ridden.

And moreover…

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Liu Suiyun was startled by the words, examined Chen Zheng's expression, and a look of genuine relief crossed his eyes.

He shook his head slightly and said, "It's not coercion; to me, it's also a good thing."

"Take care, senior."

Chen Zheng nodded, vaulted, and landed on the golden eagle's back.

Screech!

The golden eagle roared, its wings beating fiercely.

A flash of golden light.

In the blink of an eye it surged into the high heavens like a meteor tearing through clouds, and after a few breaths it left the bounds of North Spirit Workshop City, its silhouette vanishing.

The golden eagle's back was spacious, fitted with several seats for travelers to rest; Xiao Shi casually chose a spot, sat down, crossed his legs, and called out to Chen Zheng:

"Hey, what's your name, which level of the mortal body have you cultivated to? And who recommended you for the slot…?"

The Swift Wind Divine Eagle flew at extreme speed, the wind was fierce; if Xiao Shi didn't speak loudly, Chen Zheng would struggle to hear.

But before he finished speaking, a huge ear‑slap from Chen Zheng came straight at him.

(End of chapter)