Chapter 1629: You Overestimate Yourself

Previously, Elder Xu had developed a grudge against Zu'an because of his disciple's injury by Peng Wuyan, and he had been holding onto a great deal of unexpressed anger. Now, seeing Zu'an step forward again, he finally had a channel to vent his frustration, and suddenly felt completely relieved and invigorated.

"I truly don't want to meddle in the affairs of your Daoist sects," Zu'an scoffed, "but now I see someone losing and refusing to admit defeat, instead trying to use other means to slander the winning disciple. As a referee, I cannot stand by and do nothing."

"Well said!" exclaimed Grandmistress Huoling, her voice filled with excitement. To be honest, she had initially looked down on Zu'an. After all, the martial world and the imperial court were naturally somewhat at odds, and in the eyes of martial artists, someone like Zu'an was inevitably suspected of being an imperial lackey—and a pretty boy at that, with little cultivation, likely having risen through nepotism. Now, in such a desperate situation, it was this "pretty boy" whom she had disdained who was stepping forward to support her and her disciple. She felt both thrilled and ashamed.

After speaking, Zu'an walked directly to the arena and supported a somewhat shaky Pei Mianman. "How do you feel? Quickly meditate and recuperate. I'll handle the rest."

"Mmm..." Pei Mianman gazed deeply at him, her eyes brimming with such affection that it seemed to melt. Although she had just defeated Zhijin, her actual cultivation was still somewhat inferior to his. During her victory, Zhijin's furious counterattacks had left her with significant injuries, and her energy was greatly depleted. Unfortunately, the people around them had immediately demanded to inspect her, giving her no chance to recuperate. As expected, Ah Zu truly cares more about me.

"Ugh, I'm getting goosebumps." From a distance, Yun Jianyue couldn't help but rub her arm, looking disgusted. "Do they think everyone here is dead, openly flirting like that?"

Qiu Honglei explained, "The others don't know about their relationship, so they probably won't notice anything."

Yun Jianyue couldn't help but glare at her. "Sometimes I really wonder if you ever get jealous?"

Qiu Honglei smiled subtly. "Demonesses like us, who can bring ruin to a nation, are meant to make others jealous. To be jealous of others is a sign of incompetence. Wasn't that what Master taught me back then?"

Yun Jianyue was speechless.

Indeed, as Qiu Honglei had said, the disciples from the various sects in the arena weren't thinking much about it, as they didn't know the relationship between Zu'an and Pei Mianman. However, many male disciples were filled with envy, thinking how easy it must be to win Miss Pei's favor by appearing to help her in her most helpless moment. Yet, they knew their limits. Given the situation just now, even if they had three times the courage, they wouldn't have dared to stand up for her.

At this moment, Elder Xu scoffed, "This is no longer a matter of a mere competition. It concerns the safety of the entire Daoist sect and even the common people of the world. There was a similar incident in the history of the Daoist sects: a disciple accidentally obtained a magical artifact, and their cultivation advanced rapidly. Who knew it was an evil object? One day, it suddenly devoured the vital essence of all disciples on the sect's entire mountain peak, causing extremely tragic consequences. Later, masters from various sects came together and paid a heavy price to seal that evil object. Our actions now are merely to avoid repeating that mistake."

The sect leaders secretly nodded. Their recent statements, besides wanting to trip up the Jade Serenity Palace, were also made with that historical event in mind.

However, when it came to Pei Mianman's interests, Zu'an wasn't about to discuss such things with them. "Isn't this just a baseless accusation?" he retorted. "I see there are always some people in this world who constantly preach benevolence, righteousness, and concern for the nation, but in reality, they are full of depravity and underhanded tricks."

Elder Xu flew into a rage. "Who are you talking about?"

Rage points from Xu Chuan +711 +711 +711...

The other sect leaders who supported inspecting Pei Mianman also looked displeased.

"I'm talking about whoever gets defensive," Zu'an said with a faint smile, staring directly at him.

Many young disciples nearby couldn't help but snicker, desperately lowering their heads to hide their smiles.

"You scoundrel!" Elder Xu was nearly exploding with rage. The passive-aggressive taunts Zu'an had learned from years of lurking on forums in another world were a true dimensional attack to the people of this world.

"Who's the scoundrel saying that?" Zu'an quickly retorted.

"The scoundrel is talking about you!" Elder Xu instinctively replied. However, seeing the strange expressions of those around him, he immediately realized he had been tricked, and his face flushed a purplish-red.

Rage points from Xu Chuan +888 +888 +888...

At this moment, a person stood up. "Brother, merely relying on witty remarks is meaningless. In this world, cultivation speaks loudest. Luo Dongjiang of Mount Luofu wishes to ask for your guidance." This person was Luo Dongjiang, the chief disciple of Mount Luofu. Seeing his own Elder infuriated, he stepped forward to help resolve the situation. Fearing that Zu'an wouldn't accept the challenge, Elder Xu deliberately provoked him: "Lest people say this old man bullies you, I'll let Dongjiang spar with you. Don't worry, he always knows his limits and won't take your life." While his life would be safe, some superficial injuries would be perfectly normal. Luo Dongjiang understood the implied meaning and subtly nodded at him.

The disciples in the arena looked at Zu'an with expressions of sympathy. Such heroic acts of rescuing a beauty were not easily achieved without consequence. This pretty boy showed no sign of qi fluctuation whatsoever, appearing like an ordinary person. Any random disciple present could probably easily defeat him, let alone contend with a chief disciple. He had just stepped out, likely relying on his status as an imperial official. However, in this tumultuous era, people only respected the strong, regardless of one's status. Many disciples from Li Hentian even began to jeer, wanting Luo Dongjiang to teach Zu'an a good lesson. Firstly, there had been a conflict between the two sides at the Prince of Yan's manor. Secondly, this time it involved Zhijin and the sect's honor, so they naturally regarded Zu'an as an enemy.

Only Zhao Xiaodie murmured to herself, "You all underestimate him too much..." She had personally fought Zu'an before; back then, he had effortlessly crushed her, and even now, she could still feel a deep, soul-stirring ache in her backside.

"What did you say, Senior Sister?" the gloomy young man beside her couldn't help but turn his head. He was Cai Yu, the Ninth Junior Brother, who had intended to challenge Zu'an at the Prince of Yan's manor but the matter had ended inconclusively, something he had always deeply regretted.

"Nothing," Zhao Xiaodie forced a smile. She knew that even if she told them, they wouldn't believe her, so it was better to let them see for themselves.

At this moment, Zu'an glanced disdainfully at Luo Dongjiang in the arena. "You? You're not worthy."

The entire crowd instantly erupted in an uproar; the level of provocation was off the charts. Even sect masters like Wang Wuxie were somewhat puzzled. Was this young man truly formidable, or was he just bluffing? But his boasting was simply outrageous.

The plump, celibate monk Jiese from Wuyou Temple asked the nearby Master Jianhuang, "Master, what do you make of this?"

Master Jianhuang slowly replied, "He was very calm when he said that, without any fear or even the slightest emotional fluctuation, as if it were a matter of course."

The young monk Jiese was startled. "Could it be that he's truly a hidden master?"

"We'll soon find out," Master Jianhuang said, his gaze fixed on the arena.

At this point, Luo Dongjiang's face was flushed crimson. He drew his sword and lunged towards Zu'an. "Then let me see if your skills are as formidable as your mouth!"

Rage points from Luo Dongjiang +444 +444 +444...

In his fury, he completely forgot Elder Xu's instructions and held nothing back.

Qiu Honglei nervously clutched Yun Jianyue's arm. "Master, is he really as powerful as you say?"

Yun Jianyue winced slightly and brushed her hand away. "Are you questioning your master's judgment?"

Qiu Honglei gave an awkward laugh. Ordinarily, she would naturally trust her master one hundred percent, but when it came to Zu'an, she couldn't help but be flustered with concern.

Luo Dongjiang's sword was about to strike Zu'an, yet Zu'an hadn't moved an inch. Many in the crowd secretly scorned him, thinking he must have been scared senseless. On second thought, they conceded that Luo Dongjiang's full-power attack, fueled by rage, would probably be too fast for most disciples present to react to.

Just then, a white blur flashed, and Luo Dongjiang's sword was deflected by a gentle force. He looked up in astonishment towards Wang Wuxie, who was at the center of the high platform.

Wang Wuxie said, "This matter can be discussed at length; there's no need for a fight to the death." After all, he still held the title of Imperial Tutor. If an imperial envoy were to die there and he stood by and did nothing, the trouble afterward would be immense. With Wang Wuxie intervening, Luo Dongjiang naturally dared not defy him. He could only glare resentfully at Zu'an.

At this point, Zu'an calmly stated, "You should thank the Imperial Tutor for saving your life."

Luo Dongjiang: "???"

In fact, that was exactly what Luo Dongjiang had wanted to say, but he never expected his opponent to utter it first. Doesn't this guy have any shame?

Rage points from Luo Dongjiang +999 +999 +999...

This was also what everyone else in the arena was thinking. Wang Wuxie's face twitched slightly, and he felt a pang of regret for having intervened to save Zu'an moments ago. Ten thousand years from now, when grave robbers open his coffin, most other things will have long since decayed, but surely, his mouth will remain.

Elder Xu was also furious. "You brat! Since you say Dongjiang isn't worthy of you, then I shall personally experience your brilliant moves. I just hope you won't hide behind Sect Master Wang anymore." He even disregarded the bad reputation of an elder bullying a junior, seizing the loophole in Zu'an's recent words to make his attack.

Rage points from Xu Chuan +999 +999 +999...

Zu'an glanced at him and shook his head slightly. "You overestimate yourself. To deal with you, why would I even need my hands?"

Elder Xu: "???"