Chapter 328: The Idiot-Hair Little Celestial Master Gets Even Stronger Today 23

Facing Cheng Tianzong's question, Cheng Cinian dared not tell the truth, only saying, "We've had some contact before; Master Jin Chen is formidable—we pale in comparison."

Cheng Tianzong nodded, stroking his beard, "Indeed, at such a young age to wound a battle-hardened four-star Celestial Master—truly limitless future."

He looked at the perpetually silent An Wuyang, feeling a tinge of regret, "Xiao An, how has your cultivation been lately?"

Cheng Tianzong and An Wuyang's master used to be old acquaintances, and he somewhat understood his situation; originally he thought he was an outstanding Daoist seedling, but who would have thought his progress over the past decade-plus has been exceedingly slow.

An Wuyang bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather Cheng; my cultivation is not bad, and it's improved considerably compared to before."

Not just considerably better—it's practically a qualitative leap.

He silently complained to himself.

Cheng Tianzong assumed he was just making polite talk, so he didn't press further, lest he touch on painful matters; with Jin Chen beside him protecting him during this tomb descent, safety wasn't his worry, so he just went along.

After this little interlude, An Wuyang received an unprecedented welcome; although the conversation revolved around him, nine out of ten sentences were inquiries about Jin Chen's circumstances, and he happily shared, fabricating a bizarre backstory for Jin Chen.

"Heavens, Master Jin Chen's childhood was actually so miserable, even fighting wild beasts for territory?"

"He actually cultivated alone in the mountains and forests—how miserable!"

"Really? Master Jin Chen has no parents, nor is he with his master—just thinking about it feels heartbreaking."

An Wuyang solemnly attempted to shape others' perception of Jin Chen into that of a gifted and hardworking great figure.

"Yes, yes, my senior brother works so hard!"

Jin Chen sat beside him, his expression growing increasingly strange.

"And you, An Wuyang, what do you do while cultivating? Not being able to use arcane power must also be unpleasant," someone else asked.

An Wuyang was about to speak when he heard Jin Chen say, "He likes to write bizarre stories when he cultivates."

"What what what?" that person didn't catch it.

An Wuyang: "……"

Cheng Cinian, who understood everything but dared not speak, held back laughter and turned his face away.

An Wuyang covertly poked Jin Chen and began whispering, "I'm doing this to give you an identity, to prevent you from being exposed."

"If you keep going, you'll end up saying I have a fatal illness."

Jin Chen, not kindly, tugged at his idiotic hair, saying, "Present-day living Yama."

An Wuyang snorted, unimpressed by that title.

Their laughter and chatter had no effect on Luosheng; he simply sat quietly, sipping tea without a word, eyes downcast, seeming somewhat sorrowful.

Those around, seeing this, glanced over at Cheng Cinian, who was chatting happily with An Wuyang, utterly perplexed.

Aren't these two people inseparable since childhood?

If there had been no interaction today, that would be one thing, but why does it feel like Cheng Cinian is deliberately ignoring Cheng Luosheng?

Someone acquainted with Cheng Luosheng scooted a chair over furtively and asked, "Cheng Luosheng, did you and your senior brother have a falling out?"

This person is Chen Yang, a female Celestial Master of the Mao Mountain Sect, also counted among the outstanding young Celestial Masters, and one of the few who know that Cheng Cinian likes Cheng Luosheng.

"No……" Luosheng nodded, just the right amount of sorrowful eyes welling with tears.

Chen Yang widened her eyes, "This doesn't look like nothing's wrong—come on, tell me, what exactly happened between you two?"

"My senior brother lately……has become strange, I don't know why, and he won't talk to me."

Luosheng concealed the emotion in his eyes, gazing Youyou at the seated Cheng Cinian, who was separated from him, seemingly to prove something to Chen Yang, he picked up his empty tea cup, rose, and walked over to Cheng Cinian.

"Senior brother, I……"

"What are you trying to do?" Cheng Cinian's tone, which had just been smiling, instantly turned cold.

Seemingly startled by him, Luosheng trembled slightly, pressed his lips and lowered his head, "I……there's no tea over there."

An Wuyang and Jin Chen exchanged a glance, not understanding what Luosheng was up to.

Cheng Cinian also didn't understand, gave him a cold look, passed over the jade pitcher, and said nothing more.

The others at the table all fell into silence, finally sensing that something was off between the two.

Although they're young, this isn't their first time at the Dao Association; previously, Cheng Cinian wouldn't even need to hand over a water kettle—if Luosheng's tea ran out, Cheng Cinian would naturally notice and refill it without being told.

Chen Yang, who was familiar with both, felt something was amiss.

This really doesn't look like anger or a quarrel; it feels as if Cheng Cinian and Cheng Luosheng have suddenly become unfamiliar with each other.

It seems we need to find a chance to ask Cheng Cinian; she stroked her chin and nodded silently.

An Wuyang, nibbling on snacks while noticing the awkward atmosphere, leaned close to Jin Chen's ear and whispered softly, "Luosheng keeps staring at me, making my skin crawl."

He seemed about to lunge over any second to rip out his heart and soul—that kind of creepy feeling.

Jin Chen slipped one arm around him, lifted his gaze to the Luosheng standing by the table not moving, eyes seeming icy, "Anything else?"

"Nothing."

Luosheng noticed Jin Chen's gaze, gave a faint smile, slightly lowered his eyes and nodded at him; his attitude was actually quite friendly.

【Host, I have a premonition.】0731 suddenly appeared.

【Go ahead.】

【The way Luosheng looks at you seems full of interest—could he be falling for you!】

【……Are you low on lubricant lately, your brain not working?】

0731 closed its mouth, feeling wronged, firmly believing its feeling wasn't mistaken, even though it also didn't know which screw the protagonist had loose.

——

That evening, only the Celestial Masters who had come to discuss returned home, leaving a few who would be entering the tomb tomorrow to stay at the Dao Association.

Among them were Jin Chen and An Wuyang personally invited by Cheng Cinian, the Mao Mountain Sect's outstanding young talent Chen Yang, Celestial Master Ye, the spell-adept Celestial Master Song, and five disciples from various families, making ten in total.

Jin Chen and An Wuyang naturally shared a room; after closing the door, Cheng Cinian bowed to Jin Chen and then related what he knew about the plan involving Luosheng and Ghost King Fu Xizhou.

"Luoluo woke up once last night, saying that tomb very likely belongs to someone familiar to those two spirits, and if Fu Xizhou enters, he can largely restore his power."

"So Luoluo had me ask you: do you know about this, and how should he cooperate when the time comes?"

That's about the same as in the original plot — I only know it's someone I'm acquainted with, but I don't know who.

Jin Chen half-sat on the bedhead, hearing the words, pondered for a moment, and also didn't specifically say what to use, almost; after all, there's still the uncertain factor of the Peace Alliance.

"If you need to cooperate, I'll let you know in advance."

He gazed at the bright moon hanging high outside the window, his fingers lightly stroking the face of the person already asleep in his arms, in an on-and-off manner.

"Also, tomorrow when we go into the tomb, it's best to send more people to guard outside the passage."

"Alright, I'll follow your arrangements."

After Cheng Cinian finished speaking, he got up and took his leave.