The disciples who had been watching outside were all dispersed by the elders. The unified explanation was that Senior Sister had accidentally caused this while cultivating. Whether others believed it or not was unknown, and no longer the elders’ concern.

However, the disciples under Fudao Shanren weren’t so easily fooled.

Rarely, all five people who were at Yashan today had gathered together.

One was Qu Zhengfeng, standing calmly to the side; one was Shen Jiu, wearing snow-white robes, his fingers rubbing his lips as if also deep in thought; one was the little radish head, Jianghe, who kept staring at the hole at the very top, muttering: “Whose leg is so big and thick?”

The remaining two were naturally the so-called “sword fanatic” and “fool.”

One was a disheveled young man with a long sword and a wine gourd hanging at his waist.

His chin bore light stubble—he probably hadn’t groomed himself for several days, showing traces of slovenliness.

Yet those eyes were sharp as blade edges. Just looking at them, one could see sword shadows flickering within, quite frightening.

The other had an honest face, sturdy build, and wore a simple smile. Though blessed with reasonably handsome and well-proportioned features, unfortunately, his expression and demeanor couldn’t support even half a “handsome” character.

This was the fool Chen Weishan.

He scratched his head, then heard Jianghe’s constant muttering and replied: “I just heard the elders say this commotion was caused by Senior Sister during cultivation. I think this should be Senior Sister’s leg, right?”

At that moment, a strange silence fell among the four surrounding people.

Shen Jiu’s mouth twitched for a long time before he looked up and said with particular sincerity to this honest man: “Sixth Brother, don’t blame me for not warning you—when you’re in front of Senior Sister, you shouldn’t say a single word.”

Qu Zhengfeng just stood to the side, laughing, faintly.

Jianghe looked at his expression and shivered: nauseating.

Chen Weishan didn’t understand at all: “Why?”

Shen Jiu directly rolled his eyes. With this IQ, there was probably no saving him.

“They’re coming out.”

The young man who had been standing to the side without participating in their discussion, his gaze fixed on that breach, finally focused and said.

His voice had an indescribable roughness and hoarseness that was uncomfortable to hear.

However, everyone couldn’t be bothered with that now and quickly followed his gaze to look ahead.

Indeed, people were coming out.

The long-browed elder was in front, Sect Master and Jian Chou and others behind, with their “respected” master Fudao Shanren bringing up the rear.

Fudao Shanren kept shouting toward the front: “Just answer me!”

Jian Chou hadn’t walked far out at this point. Helplessly and amusedly, she stopped, but her peripheral vision caught sight of several “fellow disciples” who had disobeyed the elder’s orders and were observing her from below.

Carefully scanning with her gaze, Jian Chou discovered countless eyes from far and near, open and hidden places, all falling upon her.

She paused in what she was about to say, and what came out instead was: “Master, let’s talk about it later. I’m not certain either.”

Something like a Heavenly Disc seemed…

A bit too mystical.

Jian Chou always felt there was something indescribably strange about her cultivation process—too smooth, which instead made her feel somewhat uneasy.

At this moment, Fudao Shanren had also directly reached their side. Hearing Jian Chou say this, his heart was filled with doubt.

As he walked, he muttered: “Sigh, I told you early on to light up all the Kun lines you could before establishing foundation. Why are you so impatient, child? When I was exploring those meridian paths back then, it took quite some time. A one-zhang battle disc—how could it be so easy to light up completely? Moreover, I was a genius renowned throughout the Nineteen Continents at the time…”

“Did Master light them all up?”

Jian Chou asked again.

“…”

Successfully choked to death by one sentence.

Fudao Shanren wanted nothing more than to stuff a chicken leg in her mouth: “I’ve discovered you’ve learned bad habits from those stinky boys! How can you bully an old man like this?! You know which pot not to open and which one to mention!”

“Oh…”

Every time she saw Fudao Shanren like this, Jian Chou showed an understanding expression.

Fudao Shanren was nearly driven to explode by this rebellious disciple.

Zheng Yao, walking slightly ahead, listened with inner delight, just pricking up his ears without interjecting. No helping it—who told him this sect master was neither a genius, nor a genius’s disciple, nor had a genius disciple?

Ah, ah, leisure was truly wonderful.

Making such a big commotion early in the morning, everyone up and down Yashan was curious. Though driven away, they just didn’t dare watch openly. There were quite a few like Shen Jiu and Qu Zhengfeng. Seeing Sect Master and his group come out talking and laughing, looking quite happy, everyone felt somewhat confused.

The Scripture Pavilion had nearly been blown up—was there still something to be happy about?

Those with more active minds immediately thought of Jian Chou.

Could it be that what the elders said about this commotion being caused by Senior Uncle Jian Chou was true?

Human thoughts, when reasonable, always share certain commonalities.

So, after Fudao Shanren and his group left, many people looked up in unison at that strangely shaped hole: Could it be Senior Uncle Jian Chou’s leg?

The chubby Jianghe also extended his plump finger to poke Chen Weishan, standing beside him.

“What do you think?”

Chen Weishan had always been honest. Feeling his fellow disciples were all looking at him, he became somewhat embarrassed.

Extending his hand to rub the back of his head, Chen Weishan said: “I think Senior Sister is quite impressive, just her legs are a bit thick—even the wall broke.”

“…”

This IQ made normal conversation completely impossible!

Jianghe weakly covered his face with his hand and said to Shen Jiu: “Fourth Senior Brother, you’re right.”

Shen Jiu gracefully flicked his sleeve and said, “Of course. But I’m still very curious how Sister Jian Chou, who was only at the Qi Refining stage before entering closed-door cultivation, managed to cause such a commotion… Hey, what are they going up there for?”

His gaze moved upward, following Fudao Shanren and his group, who had left earlier. Shen Jiu paused mid-sentence.

It turned out that, led by Sect Master Zheng Yao, Fudao Shanren and others were all taking the cloud ladder up to the higher Lanyue Hall.

Going to Lanyue Hall was generally for meetings or receiving guests.

Everyone who had stayed at Yashan long enough knew this.

Qu Zhengfeng said faintly from the side: “Earlier, I saw Elder Xihe come from outside. I heard the Jianzhu Sect sent three female cultivators to find Sister Jian Chou. I didn’t ask about the specifics.”

After all, it wasn’t his business, so it wasn’t convenient to inquire.

Shen Jiu immediately became curious, reaching over to drape his hand on Qu Zhengfeng’s shoulder, laughing: “Second Senior Brother, don’t hide your abilities. I know—you’ve always been the most secretive old fox in our Yashan. We’ve fought for so many years, and now I’ve even been defeated by you. In such small matters, why don’t you let slip some information?”

Not long ago, they were fighting to the death—those who didn’t know would think they had some great grudge—and in the blink of an eye, they were acting like close brothers.

The other few, seeing this, could only respond with collective eye-rolls.

Qu Zhengfeng, hearing Shen Jiu’s words, just shook his head faintly and said: “I truly don’t know more.”

“Since we don’t know, we should just go look.”

The rough, hoarse voice inserted itself from the side.

Everyone looked back in surprise, only to see the disheveled young man’s figure had directly disappeared from the spot, transforming into a streak of light falling toward the stone pavilion leading to Lanyue Hall.

The remaining few hadn’t expected this.

Qu Zhengfeng sighed: “In terms of taking action, we fellow disciples truly can’t compare to Junior Brother Kou! Junior Brother Kou isn’t good with words and is obsessed with swords. Having him go up alone, I’m a bit worried. As your former senior brother, I must show some concern, so I’ll go check on Junior Brother Kou.”

Having said this, like a very responsible “second senior brother,” he directly mounted his sword and also rushed toward Lanyue Hall.

The chubby little Jianghe directly cursed: “Second Senior Brother is shameless, wait for me!”

“Damn, you’re all going—do you have to be so unfair? Take me along!” Shen Jiu always hated being left behind. Without thinking, he stepped on his flying sword and chased after them.

On the spot, Chen Weishan, who had only one track in his brain, thought for a long time and murmured: “Everyone’s going, so I’ll go too. Following everyone’s actions together can’t be wrong.”

So Chen Weishan flashed, his figure dissipating on the spot, and when visible again, he was already beside the chubby Jianghe.

Several people stealthily approached Lanyue Hall.

At this moment, inside Lanyue Hall, Elder Xihe, fourth among the four great elders, was already standing in the hall.

He was very short, only reaching the chest of Sect Master Zheng Yao, who had just entered, but had a large beard on his chin that seemed ready to drag on the ground.

Bronze sparrow lamp stands held flickering flames high above, staying lit even during daylight.

A series of footsteps came from outside. Elder Xihe showed no surprise and directly turned to bow: “Paying respects to Sect Master, Senior Uncle Fudao.”

Zheng Yao, one hand on his protruding belly, came out, pacing.

In the center was a throne. Normally, Zheng Yao would never sit there, but with outsiders present, it was different.

Time to put on a show.

He flicked his sleeve and sat down first. Fudao Shanren, following behind, naturally took the seat beside him, obviously holding an exceptionally high status. As for Jian Chou, being Fudao Shanren’s disciple, she naturally stood attendant beside Fudao Shanren.

Jian Chou looked toward several people standing in the center of the great hall. Besides Yashan’s elder, there stood three female cultivators.

They wore clothing similar to what Xu Lan’er had worn that day, with embroidered patterns of two windows like insignia on their hems. They were all exceptionally beautiful.

The one standing in front had a teardrop mole at her eye and seemed relatively composed. The middle one appeared rather ordinary, while the one standing at the back kept her head lowered as if nervous—it was unclear what she looked like.

Two windows, Jianzhu Sect.

“When shall we together trim the candles at the western window?”

Such a line of poetry flashed through Jian Chou’s mind, and when she looked at the people in the hall again, there was something different in her gaze.

What a waste.

If the Jianzhu Sect was full of people as scheming as Xu Lan’er, it truly disgraced such a beautiful name.

Elder Xihe, seeing people had arrived, stepped forward to report: “Reporting to Sect Master, the three disciples from Jianzhu Sect seeking audience are present in the hall.”

This was an introductory statement.

The three women behind immediately stepped forward together and bowed to Zheng Yao: “Juniors pay respects to Yashan’s Sect Master.”

Such unified, delicate voices ringing out together in the hall created a particularly strange feeling.

Zheng Yao suddenly felt a bit cold, imperceptibly reaching out to rub the goosebumps on his arms while keeping his expression unchanged: “Three young friends, please rise. We’re all cultivators from the Middle Domain’s Left Three Thousand—no need for such a ceremony. This seat has heard you’ve come to find our Senior Sister?”

Senior Sister?

The leading Jianzhu Sect female cultivator with the teardrop mole on her face, Zhou Baozhu, was quite valued by her master in the Jianzhu Sect. Though not equal to Xu Lan’er, she wasn’t far behind.

This time, she had originally done her homework thoroughly, knowing the ins and outs of the matter and knowing Jian Chou was Fudao Shanren’s disciple.

But now, she was confused.

Because she had been preparing to address Jian Chou as “Senior Sister.”

Cold sweat broke out from nowhere, and Zhou Baozhu took a breath before adjusting in time. Her adaptability was decent, and she promptly corrected herself before speaking.

“Reporting to Sect Master Zheng, that is correct.”

She steadied her heart and continued: “Our Jianzhu Sect disciple Xu Lan’er recently set out with several other sects from the Middle Domain to the hidden realm of Qingfeng Nunnery on a lonely island in the mortal world. Unexpectedly encountering danger halfway, she was fortunately saved by Elder Fudao’s righteous intervention, for which we are extremely grateful. However, on the return journey to the Nineteen Continents, our Sister Xu was pursued by malicious enemies from the Wuyi Sect. During the fighting, she became confused and accidentally crossed hands with Senior Jian Chou…”

Using “Senior” was still clever.

Only the words she spoke weren’t very clever.

Jian Chou stood silently beside Fudao Shanren, her eyes showing some mockery.

It seemed her suggestion had indeed been wrong.

Zheng Yao and Fudao Shanren, sitting above, had both heard Jian Chou’s account of events first. Now, hearing Zhou Baozhu’s evasive words, they felt uncomfortable.

How did these words sound so grating?

Zheng Yao’s gaze flew down to land on Zhou Baozhu’s face.

Zhou Baozhu only felt that this Yashan Sect Master was different from the legends.

In the world’s eyes, Yashan was lofty and mysterious, a place that specialized in producing experts.

Even Zhou Baozhu, when passing through the Thousand Cultivator Tombs below Yashan’s rope bridge, couldn’t help but feel her heart and spirit shaken, but…

How was Yashan’s Sect Master a… fat man?

Zhou Baozhu couldn’t describe her inner feelings, forcibly suppressing that strange sensation and reciting word by word what her master had instructed.

“Yashan has always been respected by the Middle Domain’s Left Three Thousand sects, and Jianzhu Sect is among them. Now, having accidentally injured someone, though Sister Xu suffered heavy injuries, her heart is filled with guilt, fearing some discord might arise between our two sects. So she specially petitioned our master to send us three juniors to apologize to Senior Jian Chou for that day’s mistake.”

Zhou Baozhu thought everything was going smoothly, and her expression finally relaxed somewhat in the final sentences.

“We hope Senior Jian Chou can forgive Sister Xu’s mistake this time and not hold grudges. Jianzhu Sect will also remember Yashan’s great kindness and will surely repay Senior Jian Chou and Elder Fudao’s life-saving grace in the future.”

“Finished speaking?”

Zheng Yao had grown impatient listening to her long speech.

Hearing the voice beside his ear stop, he lifted his eyelids and finally gave Zhou Baozhu a proper look.

Zhou Baozhu was stunned, then felt completely disregarded.

Were the Yashan people perhaps too arrogant?

Unfortunately, she was such a minor character that few would consider her feelings.

Fudao Shanren spoke sarcastically from the side, chuckling: “Seems like she’s finished.”

“Oh.”

Zheng Yao nodded and directly turned his head: “Senior Sister, this is your matter. What do you think?”

Zhou Baozhu and the other two had also glanced briefly when bowing earlier.

Though Jian Chou dressed plainly and wasn’t flashy, one could tell at a glance she was a woman. Her black hair flowed like a waterfall, her features were picturesque, her skin fair, rarely elegant, and refined. Though not necessarily a devastating beauty, standing in this great hall, she didn’t lose any color.

Hearing Zheng Yao ask her, Zhou Baozhu finally confirmed her identity: this was Fudao Shanren’s current first disciple, Yashan’s senior disciple Jian Chou.

Jian Chou stood to the side, naturally having understood Zhou Baozhu’s words long ago.

She first bowed to Zheng Yao, then stepped forward: “Reporting to Sect Master, I’ve heard this Jianzhu Sect sister’s words, and there are some things I don’t understand. I’d like to inquire about one or two points—is this permitted?”

Zheng Yao nodded and looked toward Zhou Baozhu.

Zhou Baozhu’s teardrop mole seemed to jump. Things weren’t developing as she had imagined.

This Yashan Senior Sister’s demeanor also differed from what Xu Lan’er had previously described.

She was both disgusted by Jian Chou calling her “Jianzhu Sect sister” and nervous about the questions she was about to ask. Seeing Zheng Yao look at her, she didn’t dare refuse and quickly answered: “Please ask, Senior Jian Chou.”

Jian Chou stepped out from behind Fudao Shanren several paces, walking to the center of the great hall, and gave Zhou Baozhu a slight nod as a greeting.

Fudao Shanren observed her, beginning to sigh in his heart: indeed, only he could take such a disciple. Look at this bearing—how composed? How leisurely? How imposing? How domineering?

It seemed the title of Yashan’s strongest female cultivator was no longer suitable.

Fudao Shanren happily decided: in the future, he’d teach Jian Chou to become Yashan’s strongest cultivator!

In the hall, Jian Chou stopped, her lips carrying a faint smile, appearing very friendly.

“Just now, you said Xu Lan’er was pursued by villains from the Wuyi Sect. Was this person Tao Zhang?”

“…Yes.”

Zhou Baozhu hadn’t expected Jian Chou to ask such an irrelevant question and was stunned.

She was puzzled, but Jian Chou didn’t intend to answer and continued asking: “Tao Zhang of Wuyi Sect is a villain. Do you know that Tao Zhang was once robbed by Xu Lan’er during a crisis, having an eye gouged out?”

Zhou Baozhu’s pupils immediately contracted, her heart rising with an extremely bad premonition.

She forced a smile and answered: “Senior Jian Chou misunderstands. Those are one-sided words from a villain and cannot be trusted.”

“True.” Jian Chou didn’t deny it. “I’m new to the cultivation world and indeed don’t understand the grievances between your various sects. Let’s set aside Tao Zhang’s matter for now. I only ask: did your Sister Xu accidentally cross hands with me alone during the fighting?”

That bad premonition in her heart finally materialized.

Zhou Baozhu knew things had gone in the most troublesome direction.

Cold sweat appeared on her palms. Looking up at Jian Chou, she only saw mocking cold light in her eyes, as if she had already seen through their intentions!

Today’s matter concerns Yashan. The scene was chaotic at the time—who could remember so much clearly? Sister Xu was also heavily injured and quite confused when recounting this to our master, so Baozhu cannot answer Senior Jian Chou’s doubts.”

So she wouldn’t admit it.

Just from this Jianzhu Sect cultivator’s attitude, Jian Chou completely understood how things were.

Jianzhu Sect wouldn’t admit Xu Lan’er had fought with Nie Xiaowan, and naturally wouldn’t admit Xu Lan’er had used “Lanyuan Strike” to severely injure Nie Xiaowan while escaping…

Since they admitted nothing, this so-called “apology” was indeed only directed at Yashan.

Jian Chou could easily guess what the Jianzhu Sect was planning.

She couldn’t help but laugh aloud, finding it utterly ridiculous.

“Forget it. Speaking plainly to honest people—I’m too lazy to play riddles with you.” Jian Chou directly laid everything bare, confronting Zhou Baozhu: “Does your Jianzhu Sect admit to Xu Lan’er severely injuring Wuwang Studio’s Sister Nie Xiaowan while escaping?”

This was pressing questioning, leaving no face whatsoever.

Zhou Baozhu wasn’t stupid. She glanced at Yashan’s Sect Master Zheng Yao and Fudao Shanren sitting above, “watching the show,” and already understood Yashan’s attitude.

Unexpected…

Completely unexpected.

Every single thing after arriving at Yashan differed from her master’s predictions!

Master said Yashan had long avoided worldly affairs, having only an empty reputation externally, and shouldn’t want disputes with other sects;

Master said cultivators were self-interested, the grudge between Sister Xu and Nie Xiaowan was between those two, and even seeking revenge wouldn’t involve the unrelated Yashan Senior Sister.

Master also said Yashan’s Senior Sister originally had no connection with Sister Xu, hadn’t been severely injured, and had only just met Nie Xiaowan and the others with no deep feelings, so she shouldn’t wade into muddy waters.

…

All this was also the reason Xu Lan’er chose to attack Nie Xiaowan.

But now, everything Zhou Baozhu faced exceeded her master’s and Sister Xu’s predictions.

Jian Chou saw Zhou Baozhu’s expression change, but didn’t hear her answer for a long while, already displeased.

“I ask: does Jianzhu Sect admit to Xu Lan’er’s sneak attack on Nie Xiaowan?”

“…”

Slowly, Zhou Baozhu raised her head as if using all her strength to straighten her spine in Yashan’s great hall.

Looking into Jian Chou’s calm eyes, Zhou Baozhu gathered courage and spoke: “Senior Jian Chou misunderstands. This matter is pure fabrication. Though our Jianzhu Sect and Wuwang Studio aren’t particularly close, we’ve never had grievances. If such a thing happened, how could Wuwang Studio possibly swallow their anger and not come to Jianzhu Sect for an explanation? Please be cautious with your words, Senior.”

Blatant lies!

Cautious with words?

She told her to be cautious with words?!

Jian Chou nearly sneered aloud.

In Yashan’s Lanyue Great Hall, telling a Yashan disciple to be cautious with words!

Zheng Yao and Fudao Shanren, sitting above, both showed surprised expressions. After a long while, Zheng Yao laughed strangely but said nothing.

Jian Chou didn’t get angry, or at least not at this moment.

She said: “You won’t acknowledge the hearsay about Tao Zhang; you won’t acknowledge the facts I witnessed with my own eyes. Since you acknowledge nothing, why come to Yashan to apologize to me? Why not just close both eyes and refuse to acknowledge anything—wouldn’t that be even better?”

“Sister Xu acts openly and honestly with a clear conscience. She hasn’t wronged Senior Jian Chou in any way—it was just mistakes due to the chaotic scene at the time,” Zhou Baozhu said. “Moreover, Yashan has a righteous reputation and showed life-saving grace to Sister Xu. Sister Xu feared Yashan might misunderstand, which led to today’s visit.”

Visit?

Uninvited guests!

Jian Chou recalled Nie Xiaowan’s miserable state when severely injured and unconscious that day, the blood spilled on the sea between Zhanye Island and Deng Tiandao, Zhang Sui and Zhou Kuang’s powerless, numb calm…

She suddenly laughed, shaking her head, finally no longer looking at Zhou Baozhu and directly walking toward the upper part of the hall.

Zheng Yao looked at Jian Chou with complex eyes, as did Fudao Shanren beside him.

There were many things in the cultivation world that they couldn’t change.

Jian Chou walked up one step, stepping onto the stairs.

Fudao Shanren’s chair was still eight steps above, but Jian Chou immediately stopped, halting on the first step.

Looking up at Zheng Yao, then at Fudao Shanren.

She thought for a moment, then actually turned back around to look at the three visitors. The other two already looked ashen, the most timid girl had begun trembling, and only Zhou Baozhu still forced composure.

When telling lies they couldn’t hide or conceal even from themselves, weren’t they ashamed while lying?

“I’ll ask one final time: did Xu Lan’er truly not severely injure Nie Xiaowan with your Jianzhu Sect’s famous Lanyuan Strike?”

Lanyuan Strike!

This was what Tao Zhang had mentioned—probably a very famous technique of the Jianzhu Sect, which was why Tao Zhang could recognize it at a glance.

Jian Chou didn’t know, but she wanted to ask this way.

Sure enough, when Zhou Baozhu heard “Lanyuan Strike,” her expression changed dramatically.

Different techniques caused different injuries, and Jianzhu Sect’s Lanyuan Strike indeed had its special characteristics.

Could this Yashan Senior Sister know?

Zhou Baozhu became somewhat panicked. In her urgency, she bit her teeth and said, “Even if there was, it was due to the chaotic situation at the time—Sister Xu might have accidentally injured Nie Xiaowan.”

“Accidentally injured?”

Jian Chou couldn’t describe her inner feelings and could only laugh to show contempt.

She stood high, not far from Zhou Baozhu, looking down at her: “How unfortunate—I’m afraid you’ll also be accidentally injured by me!”

Zheng Yao’s heart immediately shouted, “Well done,” nearly standing up to cheer for Jian Chou.

He forcibly suppressed his excitement, fanning beside his face with his hand, drawing out his voice coolly: “Yes, the current scene is too chaotic…”

Fudao Shanren, beside him, nearly dropped the chicken leg he had secretly pulled out from joy.

Zhou Baozhu’s complexion had become extremely ugly.

With Jian Chou and Zheng Yao singing in harmony before her, how could she not understand their meaning?

Today’s Yashan trip had failed.

Only Yashan’s behavior truly left Zhou Baozhu completely unprepared—not only arrogant but utterly unreasonable, truly disgusting!

She finally sneered, not unaware that this so-called “Yashan Senior Sister” was only at the Qi Refining stage. Staring at Jian Chou: “I never expected Yashan to be such a sect that bullies others with power. This has truly opened Jianzhu Sect’s eyes…”

This was no longer “drawing swords at the slightest disagreement.”

One word, two words, three words…

Countless words!

Jian Chou should have listened to Shen Jiu long ago—no need to waste time listening to this nonsense!

She directly lifted her eyelids, raised her eye corners, three parts cold beauty, seven parts cold cruelty: “Draw swords!”

Draw swords!

Shen Jiu and the others who had been eavesdropping outside the hall nearly spat out in unison.