Chapter 170: The Holy Emperor's Qualifications Cheng Xingchu, Late Summer and Autumn Coolness, Fish Know Warmth

"Yes, what's wrong with that?"

Jiang Bianyan had already picked up on the hint, but he casually retorted without showing any reaction.

If not for his own needs and his eye on the rising momentum of Tian Sang Ling Gong over the past few decades, he might not have come in person at all.

A plea letter, no matter how eloquently written, would be lucky to draw an elder.

Coming here personally to take charge—wasn't that enough?

Ye Xiaotian narrowed his eyes; he was truly angry!

Sheng Nu!

This was "Sheng Nu"!

Had Sheng Shen Dian Tang lost its mind? Was this an organization that could be treated so carelessly?

The plea letter had already specified that it might involve the leader of "Sheng Nu," and possibly more than one this time.

These people weren't fools; they must have realized a trap would be set for them in advance, so they would have made preparations.

But...

Only a Fen Dian Dianzhu had come? And with two kids in tow?

Were they even enough to be a snack for their enemies? Did they think this was just a game?

Ye Xiaotian clenched his fist; this was a prime opportunity to wipe them out, something Sheng Shen Dian Tang had craved for so long, or else that plea letter wouldn't have been sent exclusively to them.

But now...

His heart plummeted; suddenly, he recalled Sang Lao's words about Sheng Shen Dian Tang's policy of allowing "Sheng Nu" to grow unchecked.

Could it be that the old man Sang was right?

This wordless silence made it obvious to anyone that Ye Xiaotian's mood was off, especially since the white-haired Daoist child hadn't bothered to hide it.

The young man behind him was already seething with rage, his anger practically blazing in his eyes; he had never seen anyone dare treat Sheng Shen Dian Tang this way, even if the white-haired Daoist child was the Gongzhu of a Ling Gong.

"Ye Gongzhu, from your demeanor, it seems you think the people sent by Sheng Shen Dian Tang aren't substantial enough?"

His voice carried a chill.

Jiang Bianyan's heart sank.

This kid had been pampered in Sheng Shen Dian Tang; how dare he speak like that?

The man in front wasn't some ordinary Wang Zuo; even a regular Wang Zuo, a true powerhouse who had grasped the great Dao, wasn't someone a mere Xiantian like him could challenge!

Yet, the young man's words were already out, and there was no taking them back.

Just as Jiang Bianyan was about to speak, Ye Xiaotian raised his hand to stop him and looked at the young man with keen interest.

"What's your name?"

A terrifying pressure bore down; the young man's body shuddered violently, nearly tumbling off the cloud as sweat poured out.

But he steadied himself, realizing this might be a senior's test—after all, he'd faced scenes like this in Sheng Shen Dian Tang before!

"Cheng Xingchu!"

The young man showed determination in his eyes.

"Cheng Xingchu..."

Ye Xiaotian tilted his head, mulling over the name, then fixed his gaze on the young man again, his eyes narrowing.

The void shattered, the clouds vanished.

Cheng Xingchu's body went limp, all strength gone, and he plummeted like a dead dog.

"Ah—"

The scream of terror echoed through the nine heavens, piercing the clouds.

"No!"

Jiang Bianyan was aghast and lunged forward, but as soon as he reached out, he found himself a hundred zhang away.

Spatial power...

His pupils contracted; he understood what was happening.

This was an attribute that made one nearly unbeatable in the same realm, let alone with Ye Xiaotian's history of defeating foes beyond his level.

This white-haired Daoist child wasn't just a figurehead Wang Zuo; he'd forged his reputation through real battles!

Cheng Xingchu felt like a black hole was pulling him downward; he had no control over his body.

Glancing down.

There really was a black hole...

"Fuck!"

Was this a senior's test? It was deadly!

"You're insane! How dare you kill me? Do you even know who I am?"

Cheng Xingchu cried out in panic, but to his despair, his body kept falling.

Darkness engulfed everything...

Dead?

Cheng Xingchu's eyelids fluttered, then he slowly lifted them.

Light flooded back; the sky was still a dim yellow, carrying a sense of life's warmth.

As his vision focused, Jiang Bianyan was still ahead, the indifferent woman beside him, and Ye Xiaotian, looking ready to kill, still staring.

A dream?

Cheng Xingchu desperately hoped it was, but the mocking voices from below kept reminding him that his dignity was shattered...

"Ha ha ha, look, he wet himself?"

"Come on, don't be like that—the guest is here, and he's at least a Xiantian... Pfft ha ha ha, I can't hold it in, is this really a Xiantian?"

"What family's young master is this? Has he even been weaned? You've got me dying of laughter!"

"How dare you kill me? Do you know who I am!"

Cheng Xingchu looked down and saw the faint wet stain on his pants; he swore that if he had a knife right now, he'd charge down and slaughter those Houtian insects!

He discreetly used Lingyuan to evaporate the stain, took a deep breath, "I..."

"Adults are speaking; children should keep quiet."

Ye Xiaotian said flatly.

Seeing those eyes, like hidden black holes, narrow again, Cheng Xingchu nearly fainted on the spot; he knew he'd have nightmares about this for days.

Damn Tian Sang Ling Gong—just you wait!

When I get stronger, today's humiliation...

"Pathetic!"

A clear, icy female voice echoed in his ear; Cheng Xingchu's mouth twitched, his throat bobbed, and he realized he couldn't get a word out.

Ye Xiaotian turned to the young woman.

A veil covered her face, her pupils like stars, otherworldly, her cultivation... unremarkable.

He smiled at Jiang Bianyan. "The disciples of Sheng Shen Dian Tang are truly exceptional; they shout boldly in the face of danger and stay calm after a crisis. Such talents are rare."

"I see that Cheng Xingchu has the makings of a Sheng Di; you should focus on nurturing him, Jiang Dianzhu."

Jiang Bianyan's mouth twitched.

Ye Xiaotian extended his hand and uttered a single word:

"Please!"

His finger pointed inward, but the underlying message to leave was unmistakable; how could Jiang Bianyan miss it?

He felt a surge of stifled anger.

This Ye Xiaotian was being far too discourteous; even as a Fen Dian Dianzhu of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, he wasn't getting any respect?

Scaring Cheng Xingchu into wetting himself in front of everyone was like slapping Jiang Bianyan's face—he'd brought the boy, after all!

He truly wanted to storm off; to hell with the plea letter—handle it yourselves!

But remembering his own unfinished business, Jiang Bianyan wavered...

"Please!"

With a face as warm as a spring breeze, Jiang Bianyan followed the direction Ye Xiaotian indicated, striding into the void.

Ye Xiaotian was taken aback; wasn't what he'd done enough? Or was this guy just that skilled at maintaining appearances?

"Then come along..."

He glanced indifferently at the young man and woman behind, then flickered ahead to lead the way.

Cheng Xingchu was dumbfounded; he'd basically shown them the door like that, and they were still going in?

Had the Dianzhu lost his mind?

The woman on the side had already floated away; Cheng Xingchu glanced at the noisy crowd below and felt a wave of disgust.

He didn't want to stay in this wretched place for another second.

"Zhi Wen girl, wait for me!"

The outer courtyard fell silent again; the arrival of the three white-robed visitors provided more fodder for casual chats and fueled the ambitions of these newcomers in the Ling Gong to become powerhouses.

Only the veterans who'd been in Tian Sang Ling Gong longer, with some experience under their belts, stared blankly at the sky.

"Sheng Shen Dian Tang?"

"Why would they come to the Ling Gong? Is something big about to happen..."

Tap tap!

By E Hu lake, the broken willow had grown lush again; from the shadows, a youth in hemp clothes emerged, leaning on a crutch, his eyes tightly shut, like a blind man.

He lowered his head slightly; the fat goose in the lake flapped its wings and darted its beak into the water.

But the fish leaped and evaded the deadly strike.

The blind youth reached out, as if to touch the water, but only grazed the white jade railing... To reach it, he'd have to plunge into the lake entirely.

The last trace of sunset on the horizon vanished, and the evening breeze whispered.

"End of summer, autumn chill... Fish Zhi Wen..."

"You've come too..."

"Yo!"

Not far away, a woman in bold attire approached and casually draped her arm over the blind youth's shoulder.

"Are you a fellow student too? How come I don't recall seeing you?"

The blind youth turned his head, as if examining the arm on his shoulder.

Then, tilting further, a face riddled with ugly scars appeared before the woman.

She was so startled she fell back, her eyes wide with terror.

"You you you..."

"Apologies for the disturbance!"

She scrambled up and fled.