The smoke from the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournant had not yet fully dissipated, but the legends about Mu Xiaochuan had already spread like wildfire to every corner of the Qingling Sect. Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact, defeating an enemy with one move, confronting the Vice Sect Master head-on, gaining the favor of the Peak Master, turning stone into gold (referring to the sudden surge in a maid's cultivation base)... each story added more mystery and aura to his already legendary experiences.
Especially those "fan stories" circulating outside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, which elevated Mu Xiaochuan's image to a level that ordinary people could hardly reach, yet left countless female disciples (and even so male disciples) daydreaming. For a ti, "visiting" Elder Mu beca one of the most popular activities among the disciples of Yunqi Peak and even other peaks.
However, upon learning that Li Jianglin intended to target him in the tournant, Mu Xiaochuan sneered inwardly. He was not the type to wait for trouble to co knocking. Since he knew soone was out to get him, he would take the initiative and strike first.
"Two months until the tournant? Ha, I can't wait that long." Mu Xiaochuan stood by the window of the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, lightly tapping the window fra with his fingers, a sly gleam flashing in his eyes.
Li Jianglin, the Outer Sect Elder of the Artifact Refining Hall at Youhuang Peak, had a cultivation base at the third stage of Foundation Establishnt and was said to have considerable skill in artifact refining, gathering many high-level Qi Refining or first and second stage Foundation Establishnt elders, deacons, and Inner Sect disciples under his command. As Mu Xiaochuan recalled information about Li Jianglin, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Since you want to deal with in the tournant, let first see what you're made of."
In the following days, Mu Xiaochuan deliberately wandered around Youhuang Peak multiple tis, occasionally chatting and laughing with the disciples there. With the help of the Thrill System and the reputation he had earned at Yunqi Peak, Mu Xiaochuan was equally at ease at Youhuang Peak, attracting followers wherever he went, especially among the female disciples who cast admiring glances his way.
That afternoon, Mu Xiaochuan was leisurely strolling around Youhuang Peak, followed by five or six chattering female disciples and three or four male disciples.
"Elder Mu! You're here to guide us again!"
"Elder! This way, please! I've just acquired a century-old warm jade and would like your appraisal!"
"Elder! Could you take a look at this new flying sword embryo I crafted and see if there's anything that needs improvent?"
A bold female disciple even squeezed forward, blushing, with homade snacks in hand: "Elder Mu... please try these... I made them with the special jade bamboo shoots from Youhuang Peak..."
Just then, a sarcastic voice ca from the side: "Hmph, a newly Foundation Establishnt cultivator hiding behind won dares to show off at the Artifact Refining Hall?"
Mu Xiaochuan turned to see a middle-aged man in the attire of an Artifact Refining Hall deacon looking at him disdainfully. The man had a sinister face, a hooked nose, thin lips, and a small mustache, clearly not a friendly character.
"And who might this be?" Mu Xiaochuan asked, feigning ignorance.
"Deacon Ma Decai of the Artifact Refining Hall," a disciple whispered a reminder.
Mu Xiaochuan secretly rejoiced, the fish had taken the bait. On the surface, he remained calm, pretending to suddenly realize: "Oh, so it's Deacon Ma. It's a pleasure to finally et you!"
Ma Decai snorted coldly: "Elder Mu, why aren't you staying at Yunqi Peak and instead wandering around our Youhuang Peak? Have you taken a liking to one of our female disciples?"
At this, the surrounding female disciples blushed, with a few even sneaking glances at Mu Xiaochuan.
Unfazed, Mu Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Deacon Ma, you misunderstand. Cultivators seek to learn from all sources. Although I've just reached Foundation Establishnt, I know it's better to learn from others than to work behind closed doors. Youhuang Peak is renowned in the Qingling Sect, so naturally, I want to learn a thing or two."
He paused and added, "As for the female disciples..." His gaze swept around, causing a few female disciples' hearts to race, "A fair lady is a gentleman's desire, isn't that normal?"
"You!" Ma Decai was montarily at a loss for words, his face darkening, "Elder Mu, you have a sharp tongue."
Mu Xiaochuan smiled warmly, "Deacon Ma, you're too kind. But more than a sharp tongue, I envy your..."
"Envy for what?" Ma Decai asked instinctively.
"I envy your thick skin, Deacon Ma, tougher than city walls, impervious to blades and fire, truly excellent material for artifact refining," Mu Xiaochuan said with genuine sincerity.
"Pfft—" The surrounding disciples couldn't help but laugh.
Ma Decai's face turned beet red with anger, "Mu Xiaochuan! Don't think you're invincible just because you've reached Foundation Establishnt! This is Youhuang Peak, not a place for you to run wild!"
Feigning surprise, Mu Xiaochuan's lips curled into an amused smile, "Deacon Ma, that's quite amusing. I'm not causing trouble; I'm clearly complinting you!" He leisurely turned, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, asking with a playful smile, "Everyone, don't you agree?"
Find the original at "pawread".
The disciples' expressions changed, but since Ma Decai was rely a deacon, many Inner Sect disciples weren't afraid of him. So female disciples nodded, with one bold one even saying, "Elder Mu is clearly praising Deacon Ma's thick skin!"
Ma Decai trembled with rage, his mustache quivering, "Don't get cocky! You're just relying on your artifact! If it ca down to a real fight, you..."
"What about ?" Mu Xiaochuan stepped closer, his gaze suddenly sharp, an aura of a Foundation Establishnt cultivator subtly emanating, "Deacon Ma, you're at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Do you really intend to challenge , an elder?"
Intimidated by Mu Xiaochuan's presence, Ma Decai instinctively stepped back, "Hmph! I'm just a disciple. This is Youhuang Peak. If you have the guts, challenge Elder Li Jianglin outside. For him to deal with you is just a flick of a finger."
"Oh? Is that so?" Mu Xiaochuan's smile grew more playful, "In that case, why don't you invite Elder Li out? Let see if he's all talk or if he can actually back it up."
"Who are you calling all talk?!"
A voice like a great bell suddenly roared from the depths of the Artifact Refining Hall!
Imdiately, a wild and heavy aura surged forth like a mountain flood! The ground seed to tremble slightly!
A towering, muscular man with a bronze complexion, as if cast from steel, with a fierce scar on his face and eyes as fierce as a tiger, strode out!
It was none other than Li Jianglin, the Outer Sect Elder of the Artifact Refining Hall at Youhuang Peak, a third-stage Foundation Establishnt body cultivator!
Behind him followed seven or eight figures with equally strong auras, including two first-stage and one second-stage Foundation Establishnt Outer Sect Elders, as well as two ninth-level Qi Refining Inner Sect Deacons, all clearly part of Li Jianglin's group.
As Li Jianglin appeared, his oppressive body cultivator aura pressed down on Mu Xiaochuan like a tangible force!
However, Mu Xiaochuan, also a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, remained smiling, as if the pressure was just a gentle breeze. He even cupped his hands towards Li Jianglin, speaking lightly, "Oh! Isn't this Elder Li? What's this I hear about you wanting to deal with with just a flick of your finger? Co on, I'm standing right here, feel free to start your performance!"
"Mu! Xiao! Chuan!" Li Jianglin nearly spat out the na through gritted teeth, his eyes glaring at Mu Xiaochuan as if they could shoot flas! He had intended to wait for a more opportune mont to act, but this Mu Xiaochuan was so brazen, directly coming to his turf to provoke him!
"Elder Mu! Show so respect!" A second-stage Foundation Establishnt elder behind Li Jianglin imdiately stepped forward, shouting, "Elder Li is a senior expert, how dare you be so presumptuous!"
"Exactly!" Another first-stage Foundation Establishnt elder chid in, "Elder Mu, though you've luckily reached Foundation Establishnt, don't forget your place! Apologize to Elder Li imdiately!"
The two ninth-level Qi Refining deacons even pointed at Mu Xiaochuan, cursing, "You surnad Mu! Don't think you can act high and mighty at Yunqi Peak and do the sa here at Youhuang Peak! If you know what's good for you, get lost!"
"Tsk tsk tsk," Mu Xiaochuan shook his head, wearing a "heartbroken" expression, "Elder Li, oh Elder Li, look at the company you keep, truly... birds of a feather flock together! The master may be lacking, but his dogs sure bark loudly! I just wonder... do they have the guts to back it up, or are they just all bark and no bite?"
"Outrageous!" Li Jianglin finally couldn't bear it any longer, stepping forward with a stomp, cracking the ground! He pointed at Mu Xiaochuan, roaring, "Mu Xiaochuan! Enough with the verbal sparring! You've repeatedly provoked , today, I'll teach you a lesson for the sect! Dare to face in a fair fight at the Martial Practice Arena of Youhuang Peak?!"
'Challenge ?' Mu Xiaochuan feigned shock, then looked at Li Jianglin with a 'troubled' expression, 'Oh dear, Elder Li, if word gets out that you're bullying a junior like , won't it tarnish your reputation? How about... we just forget about it?'
He patted his chest, pretending to be "scared."
"Hahaha!" Li Jianglin laughed in anger, "I am a third-stage Foundation Establishnt body cultivator! Dealing with a newly Foundation Establishnt brat like you is indeed bullying! But with your Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact, it's not unfair."
"Really?" Mu Xiaochuan blinked, "Can I use my dog-beating stick on you?"
"Of course you can," Li Jianglin shouted impatiently, only knowing Mu Xiaochuan had a stick, not its na.
"Pfft—" So disciples who caught on started laughing.
"Dare to face at the Martial Practice Arena?" Li Jianglin, shad and angry, had only one thought: to beat Mu Xiaochuan senseless.
"Alrighty!" Mu Xiaochuan's smile grew even brighter, "Shall we head to the Martial Practice Arena then?"
...
At the Martial Practice Arena of Youhuang Peak.
The news had already spread, and the stands were filled with disciples, with more arriving continuously! A duel between Outer Sect Elders! It was a rare spectacle!
Mu Xiaochuan was the first to leap onto the arena, still with that calm deanor, even waving to the female disciples in the stands who were secretly cheering for him.
"Elder Li, are you ready?" Mu Xiaochuan asked with a smile.
"Hmph! Prepare to et your end," Li Jianglin and his followers had long been displeased with Mu Xiaochuan, roaring as they prepared to jump up!
"Wait a mont!" Mu Xiaochuan looked at Li Jianglin's entourage, feeling a bit itchy to deal with them too.
Li Jianglin abruptly halted, almost losing his balance, "What now?"
Mu Xiaochuan pointed at the people beside Li Jianglin, feigning "fear," "Elder Li, they all look so fierce. If... if I happen to win, will they rush up?"
"You're talking nonsense!" The elders and deacons behind Li Jianglin burst into curses!
"You can't win!"
"Stop wasting ti! Get on with it!"
Mu Xiaochuan suddenly put on a terrified expression, "Everyone, find a place to hide!"
Li Jianglin and his n turned to see only a cleaning disciple in the distance, confused, "What now?"
Mu Xiaochuan: "The garbage collector is here, aren't you going to hide?"
The stands erupted in deafening laughter.
Li Jianglin was furious, "Are you calling garbage?"
Mu Xiaochuan looked at Li Jianglin with sincere fear, "Oh, Elder Li, I'm so sorry, I might have... misspoken, causing a misunderstanding."
Li Jianglin frowned, "What do you an?"
Mu Xiaochuan continued with sincere fear towards Li Jianglin, speaking each word clearly:
"Sorry, don't misunderstand, I'm not targeting you,"
He paused, a radiant smile on his face, loud enough for the entire audience to hear:
"What I'm saying is... I'm saying everyone below is garbage!"
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