Chapter 222: Finally, Xing Chu Encountered Suffering, All Kinds of Ignores and All Kinds of Shows

Cheng Xingchu was momentarily stunned.

He had finally encountered someone even more arrogant than himself. Saying that without comparing cultivation levels, he would be... completely defeated? What a joke! In what way was he not superior to this brat? You, a mere Xiantian realm cultivator, what right do you have to say such things?

In an instant, Cheng Xingchu was seething again, but when he glanced at the two big shots from Ling Gong, he noticed they had no reaction whatsoever. One was calmly sipping tea, the other meditating with closed eyes... They looked on as if this were nothing out of the ordinary, completely accustomed to it.

"This..."

Cheng Xingchu's state of mind shattered on the spot. Why? Why was he always reprimanded for getting worked up, while this kid spouted such bold claims and the Ling Gong bigwigs just ignored it? Could they actually think there was some truth to this brat's ridiculous statements?!

And what was with this thing, staring at him with such pity, like he was some pathetic creature...

Damn it!

Cheng Xingchu felt his scalp tingle, his hair practically standing on end like a fighting cock. He had an overwhelming urge to vent.

"Xu Xiaoshou, are you scared?"

Suppressing his anger, he spoke with a disdainful, mocking tone, full of sarcasm.

Jiang Bianyan, on the other hand, frowned as he looked at the two relaxed elders from Ling Gong. With such a laid-back attitude, could it be that Xu Xiaoshou really had some tricks up his sleeve? If so, he needed to be careful to avoid capsizing in the gutter...

He subtly glanced at Yu Zhiwen, who was seated at the end, and she caught the signal, nodding lightly. Her long eyelashes fluttered once, then lowered, veiling her captivating star-like eyes.

After about half a breath, her star eyes opened again, as if a faint light had flitted through them. In those pupils, billions of ethereal star points suddenly swirled as if guided by a divine force, shimmering with starlight.

The next second, Yu Zhiwen's beautiful eyes trembled, and the stunning glow in them vanished in an instant. It wasn't because she had detected some unknown terror, but because what she saw was a shocking realization.

— Xu Xiaoshou was staring right at her with wide eyes!

"Damn..."

Yu Zhiwen was so startled that her whole body jerked back, unconsciously shrinking away, which made her chair scrape again.

Screech—

The piercing sound echoed through the now-quiet hall, drawing everyone's attention.

Yu Zhiwen flushed with embarrassment, her jade-like neck turning slightly red. She felt awkward and restless, wishing she could pull up her veil to hide even her eyes.

How mortifying! Making a noise at such a critical moment—already somewhat socially anxious, she felt utterly awful.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

Xu Xiaoshou withdrew his intense gaze and asked with concern, "Do you need some brown sugar water or something?"

Everyone: ???

So direct?

"Under suspicion, passive value: 5."

"No, thank you."

Yu Zhiwen waved her hands frantically, her voice rising sharply at first, then dropping to a whisper.

After speaking, she pressed her delicate hands tightly against the side of her thigh, clutching her skirt, clearly tense all over.

Xu Xiaoshou almost burst out laughing.

Sure enough, this woman's eyes were special. He still didn't know what they could do, but those star eyes probably weren't just for show. At least, he had succeeded in stopping her from using any spiritual techniques.

Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't notice that others were also frozen—not just Yu Zhiwen, but the elegant young man who had already approached him.

Cheng Xingchu was completely dumbfounded.

Ignored... again?

His eyes twitched—one wide, one narrow—and he clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as he roared:

"Xu, Xiao, Shou!"

"Under summons, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou looked up, furrowing his brow.

"Hmm? You're still here?"

Cheng Xingchu: ???

"Under curse, passive value: 1."

"The match hasn't started yet—where else would I go?" he snapped, his anger boiling.

"You still want to compete? You've already lost."

"The hell I—"

Cheng Xingchu suddenly cut off his hysterical tone because several intimidating gazes swept over him, cooling his rage instantly.

"In the end, you're just trying to back out, too scared to fight!"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at him with a strange expression, chuckling as he stood up. "You really want to have this match?"

"Hmph!" Cheng Xingchu turned his head away.

"No regrets?"

"Stop talking nonsense and let's fight!"

Xu Xiaoshou glanced sideways at Ye Xiaotian, wondering why the dean had arranged for him to face such an impatient and unskilled opponent. It would've been better to go against that girl nearby—he could at least test her out!

Ye Xiaotian just nodded lightly, signaling him to go ahead.

Xu Xiaoshou got the message.

"I set the rules?"

From the way this guy was acting, it seemed even this last lifeline would be given up willingly...

Sure enough, Cheng Xingchu nodded.

"Sigh."

With a soft sigh, Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward and circled Cheng Xingchu twice, sizing him up before stopping next to Yu Zhiwen.

"I'm a civilized person; I don't really like fighting. How about we settle this with a discussion instead?"

Yu Zhiwen: ...

A discussion is fine, but why get so close?!

She wanted to move away but was afraid of interrupting the two of them again, so she stayed put.

Cheng Xingchu hadn't expected Xu Xiaoshou to pull this move, but he figured this guy was probably just stalling because of his low cultivation. He let out a cold laugh.

"Fine."

Xu Xiaoshou dragged over Cheng Xingchu's original chair and sat down right next to Yu Zhiwen, making everyone wince.

He said casually, "I can tell you're a sword cultivator?"

In the East Domain, the more powerful the faction, the more disciples practiced swordsmanship—Sheng Shen Hall was no exception.

Cheng Xingchu gritted his teeth; somehow, he'd already lost the initiative without realizing it. He grabbed his sword and pulled his chair over to Zhao Xidong's side, sitting down boldly.

"That's right!"

Screech—

Zhao Xidong quietly shifted his chair farther away.

Cheng Xingchu: ???

"Under curse, passive value: 1."

This assist nearly made Xu Xiaoshou lose his composure and laugh. He pointed at the object in Cheng Xingchu's hand again: "That's a sword?"

Cheng Xingchu paused, glancing down, and his temper flared.

What the hell else could it be—a knife?!

"Are you blind?"

"No, I mean, what grade of sword is it?" Xu Xiaoshou clarified.

Cheng Xingchu immediately boasted, "Fifth grade!"

Xu Xiaoshou reacted as if he'd been startled, even rocking his chair and bumping into Yu Zhiwen's arm.

"Sorry, sorry..."

Yu Zhiwen's eyebrows knitted together; she was starting to not understand Xu Xiaoshou's intentions.

A faint mocking glint appeared in Cheng Xingchu's eyes.

Hah, country bumpkin! A fifth-grade sword scares you like this—if Yu Zhiwen showed hers, you'd probably ascend on the spot.

"Under mockery, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou ignored it, feigning surprise: "Fifth grade? Then this sword must be able to gain sentience. Can it recognize a master?"

"It hasn't reached sentience yet, but as for recognizing a master..."

Cheng Xingchu lifted his chin slightly and lightly tapped the sword's guard with his finger, the movement effortlessly stylish.

With a sharp ring, the spiritual sword shot into the air, circled once, and automatically returned to its sheath.

Clang—

It had to be said, that was pretty impressive—at least his own "Cang Ku" couldn't do that so fluidly.

"Since you're a sword cultivator with such a powerful treasure..."

Xu Xiaoshou's voice carried a hint of envy, then his eyes lit up as he changed tack: "Then let's compare our physical bodies instead!"