If I were to directly engage Zhao Shan in a magical battle... but Zhao Shan is different from Zhao Qing before, showing no apparent hostility, he can easily refuse a duel.
Then.
He promptly packed the finest spirit food, preparing to take it home for his disciple to taste.
Throwing a punch into cotton, Zhao Shan felt rather uncomfortable.
Why doesn’t this kid play by the rules?
Shouldn’t a normal person blush and defend themselves?
A shadow flickered in his eyes, a dagger revealed:
"Instructor Chen is too modest! Regardless, your ability to slay Li Min is enough to prove your strength far exceeds others at the same level!"
"Just right! Recently, the sect discovered a demon cultivator nest in Song Sun County, as troublesome as Li Min, reportedly guarded by several mid-Foundation Establishment demon cultivators..."
"The sect is in dire need of assistance! Given Instructor Chen’s thunderous means in slaying Sixth-Layer demon cultivators, dealing with these demon cultivators should be a breeze."
"I propose, why not let Instructor Chen lead a team to eradicate this nest, to showcase the might of Lingyin Sect! What does Instructor Chen think?"
Having said that, Zhao Shan patted Chen Ye’s shoulder and laughed,
"Thus, you can also prove yourself, Instructor Chen!"
Chen Ye sneered inwardly.
Trying to use me as a pawn?
Dream on.
"Peak Master Zhao is jesting."
Chen Ye coolly waved his hand, firmly rejecting,
"I am not very skilled, only dabbling in minor alchemy teaching. Matters of killing enemies should be left to talents like Peak Master Zhao."
"Moreover..."
"I was fortunate to win against Li Min days ago but sustained an internal injury. I need to recuperate now. If my poor leadership impacts the sect, I wouldn’t be forgiven even after a thousand deaths."
A flimsy excuse.
Anyone can see that Chen Ye’s vitality is abundant, showing no signs of injury.
Zhao Shan’s face darkened, surprised at this person’s thick-skinned nature, impervious to any persuasion.
He complained irritably:
"Instructor Chen, are you truly oblivious? If word spreads, won’t people ridicule us for rewarding a worthless person with the Dragon Transformation Pool?"
His words were harsh.
Yet Chen Ye merely sipped his wine indifferently, not even raising an eyelid:
"A worthless person is better than losing one’s life."
"You!"
Zhao Shan was speechless.
This kid, impervious to threats or persuasion, is like tough, rolling stone!
"Uncle, that’s enough."
A clear voice, like an ice spring, suddenly came from beside the hall.
The crowd turned towards the sound.
A woman in a crimson Taoist robe, carrying a long sword, approached.
With a swing of her dust whisk, the vermilion mark on her brow captured attention, adding an untouchable aura to her roses-like face, blending joy and anger.
Her lips vividly-colored yet her demeanor icy.
"Yu Shuang?"
Zhao Shan’s eyebrows furrowed.
Though he’s also of the Zhao Family and holds seniority,
Zhao Yushuang’s talent was extraordinary, already at Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment in her twenties, destined for late-stage Foundation Establishment.
Moreover.
Her profound alchemy expertise made her one of the sect’s top alchemists—if not for her devotion to alchemy, her cultivation might rival his!
Therefore,
Her status outweighs his and she is cherished by the Grand Elder.
"Uncle."
Zhao Yushuang stood before Chen Ye and subtly shielded him, saying calmly,
"Instructor Chen is a Guest Elder of the Alchemy Hall, routinely crafting numerous pills for the sect. The Sect Master once said, alchemists should not be lightly dispatched unless the sect faces existential peril."
"Urging an alchemist to purge demons at Heifeng Ridge is against protocol and excessive force."
Zhao Shan’s face contorted:
"Yu Shuang, are you reprimanding your uncle? Why defend an outsider? Is it possible..."
Tsk.
Again stirring unnecessary speculation.
Zhao Yushuang’s expression remained unchanged, her tone even:
"Not defending an outsider, only stating facts. You are unaware of Instructor Chen’s alchemical talent... such an alchemist deserves proper protection from the sect."
Chen Ye was slightly surprised.
His interactions with Zhao Yushuang were shallow, only encountering her briefly at Danxia Peak.
Unexpectedly, this renowned Alchemy Fairy would openly oppose her elder relatives for him.
"Good, good, good!"
Zhao Shan laughed in rage, feeling his authority challenged,
"Since you protect him that much, I will see what talent this kid has, that you..."
"What do you want with him?"
Another colder and more domineering voice chimed in.
Clang!
The brilliance of the sword sliced straight ahead!
"Hmm?!!"
Zhao Shan’s vision blurred, and he felt a heavy blow to his chest.
A flying sword unexpectedly slammed into his chest!
"Pfft..."
A large mouthful of fresh blood spewed forth.
His body flew sideways, crashing to the ground, trembling as he clutched his chest, looking up in horror.
He saw a stunningly beautiful girl waving to call back the flying sword, at this moment coldly looking at him as if he were nothing.
Although she appeared to be a petite young girl, her aura was immensely powerful, making Zhao Shan feel suffocated.
"This is... this is the Foundation Establishment Late Period! No wonder... no wonder the Sect Master and all the Elders are so delighted!"
Zhao Shan’s face was deathly pale, his mind reeling!
Bai Susu breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Period was not the same as an ordinary person doing so!
Throughout the entire Yan Kingdom, any cultivator, even an adversary, must acknowledge Bai Susu’s talent.
She will undoubtedly achieve Core Formation, and with her formidable talent.
If she is at the Foundation Establishment Late Period, her combat power can rise a notch, perhaps even allowing her to face multiple Venerable or Puppet Master opponents simultaneously.
Furthermore,
This also means she is one step closer to Core Formation!
"Bai... True Inheritor Bai, please calm down! I was merely inviting Instructor Chen to slay demons, everyone present can vouch for me! I have always shown the utmost respect for Instructor Chen, never insulting him..."
Zhao Shan hurriedly explained, looking around at the cultivators.
He secretly felt fortunate, as he had not shown any hostility but instead spoke on behalf of Chen Ye, hoping True Inheritor Bai wouldn’t find fault with him.
Yet, unexpectedly.
Bai Susu smirked, "What does that have to do with me? I just don’t feel like it... for the sect celebration, I’ll spare you the death penalty."
As if it was just a casual move.
In the blink of an eye.
The flying sword spun around and directly severed one of Zhao Shan’s arms!
"..."
Zhao Shan belatedly clutched his severed arm, too shocked to cry out in pain, just staring incredulously at the severed arm on the ground.
Wait...
He just lost an arm like that?
He was a Sixth-Layer cultivator of the Foundation Establishment!
And now he was completely powerless to resist!
"Bai Susu, you... how dare you..." Zhao Shan’s face contorted, clutching his severed arm, trembling as he spoke.
However,
He hadn’t finished speaking when the Sect Master in the distance seemed to notice the commotion, speaking coolly:
"Zhao Shan, are you not stepping down? You insulted a meritorious person, and Susu was just administering routine punishment. If you hurry to have the arm attached, it can still prevent future complications."
Sect Master Zhao secretly shook his head.
How could he not understand that boy’s thoughts?
Zhao Shan thought Chen Ye was granted training in the Dragon Transformation Pool due to his merit, and believed it was with Bai Susu’s help... otherwise, he thought it should have been him who was granted access.
But in reality, the Dragon Transformation Pool was given solely because of Bai Susu, with no other reason.
Zhao Shan’s face froze.
He hadn’t expected that even when Bai Susu bullied her peers, the Sect Master would still protect her!
Bear in mind, Zhao Shan and the Sect Master were family!
But now,
Zhao Shan completely understood the situation.
This pair of troublesome individuals could now act with impunity within the sect!
It seemed that even if Chen Ye forcibly took female disciples in the sect, with Bai Susu’s protection, he would remain unscathed!
Zhao Shan clenched his severed arm tightly, gritting his teeth as he fled, not daring to leave a single parting word.
Once the bystanders dispersed.
Bai Susu retracted her flying sword, turned around, and her gaze swept back and forth between Chen Ye and Zhao Yushuang.
Instantly, a jar of jealousy in the heart of a certain blonde-haired girl tipped over.
"Oh my."
Bai Susu crossed her arms, though her lower back still faintly ached, her aura couldn’t lose, speaking sarcastically,
"Grandmaster Chen, you truly are fortunate."
"How long have I been gone? And already, someone is eager to throw herself into your arms, the hero rescuing the beauty?"
Zhao Yushuang bowed to Bai Susu, her tone neither servile nor overbearing:
"I greet True Inheritor Bai. I just couldn’t bear to see fellow cultivators humiliated, no other intention."
"No intention?"
Bai Susu snorted coldly, appraising Zhao Yushuang,
"I see, Miss Yushuang, your ’no intention’ was quite timely."
The two had known each other since childhood.
But their relationship was ordinary... even rivals, one might say.
As a child, Bai Susu had the protection of the Second Elder, while Zhao Yushuang had the First Elder’s protection, making it difficult for either to deal with the other.
Under normal circumstances, Bai Susu would call her by name directly.
But now...
Zhao Yushuang’s brow furrowed slightly.
She couldn’t help but glance at Chen Ye.
Rumor had it, his relationship with Bai Susu was delicate, and it seemed true.
It’s a shame such a remarkable man,
In the end, fell into the hands of a troublemaker like Bai Susu... he would likely endure her bullying every day.