Everyone said that Xie Buchen was the first person below the Golden Core.

No matter how you put it, this was a very prestigious title. However, when it came to Zhou Chenjiang, it became an indescribable irony. Once, the same title had crowned him, but now…

Everyone said Zhou Chenjiang was “the first person below Xie Buchen.”

What great irony was this?

But who knew…

What were the thoughts of this former first person, today’s second person?

Although Yashan generally didn’t pay much attention to affairs in Shijiu Zhou, recently the rumors about Kunwu’s genius had been so rampant that mentions of Zhou Chenjiang had increased as well. Originally, Zhou Chenjiang’s reputation wasn’t low either, but now he was often pulled out to compare with Xie Buchen.

Most people had heard Zhou Chenjiang’s name but hadn’t seen him in person. Now, hearing someone shout his name and seeing this man easily lift the massive stone, they all felt a sense of shock.

Longmen, Zhou Chenjiang?

So he wasn’t someone with an undeserved reputation after all.

Jian Chou’s gaze fell on this person.

Zhou Chenjiang had excellent features—starry eyes and bright brows, emanating a heroic spirit. Even without blazing sun above, he seemed to stand under scorching sun, carrying an uplifting aura, like a newly unsheathed snow blade, so sharp it was difficult to look directly at.

The muscles on his arms were hidden beneath wide sleeves. Only his firm, tensed palms revealed a fraction of his strength. The massive stone weighing over ten thousand catties was held so easily in his hands, without a single bead of sweat visible on his forehead. His gaze was bright, his face bearing a smile, though at this moment there was a hint of puzzlement as he looked toward the very top of Yashan.

Just as he had walked to this spot, such a boulder had fallen from the high peak of Yashan, heading straight for Zhou Chenjiang.

In that instant, Zhou Chenjiang instinctively reached out to catch this massive stone…

But unexpectedly…

He had made a spectacle of himself at Yashan.

Zhou Chenjiang coughed once, his sharp gaze sweeping over the wide-eyed Yashan disciples staring at him. As a cultivator with only Foundation Establishment cultivation, he dared not act presumptuously at Yashan.

Seeing no one around him, Zhou Chenjiang embraced the stone with both hands, slowly placing the massive, rough grayish-white boulder on the ground.

“Phew.”

He breathed a sigh of relief, turning to a nearby Yashan disciple: “Senior Brother, sorry for the spectacle. I didn’t frighten you, did I?”

Zhou Chenjiang had come to visit Yashan following his master Pang Dian. Originally, this Yashan disciple was showing him around various parts of Yashan when such an accident unexpectedly occurred.

This Yashan disciple’s cultivation wasn’t low either—also late-stage Foundation Establishment.

But…

Not every Foundation Establishment cultivator had Zhou Chenjiang’s kind of strength.

He couldn’t help but cup his fists: “Senior Brother Zhou from Longmen truly lives up to his reputation. Today has been enlightening.”

“Too kind, too kind.”

Zhou Chenjiang smiled, feeling somewhat embarrassed being watched by so many people. Then, looking at the boulder: “Won’t this stone be inconvenient here? Should I help move it?”

“No need to trouble Senior Brother Zhou. Yashan’s Administrative Hall disciples will handle the cleanup.” The Yashan disciple smiled, waving his hand: “Senior Brother Zhou, please—next we’ll visit Wind Sound Valley behind Yashan.”

“Much obliged, Senior Brother.”

Zhou Chenjiang remained courteous. Glancing around at everyone still watching him, he showed no fear, simply cupping his fists before following the Yashan disciple away.

Two figures, one ahead and one behind, passed through the crowd and departed calmly.

Left behind was a boulder taller than two people.

Jian Chou withdrew her gaze from Zhou Chenjiang’s retreating figure, looking at the massive stone: “This person has such great strength, such a heavy presence.”

“Hehe, someone who was once listed on the Nine Heavens Tablet naturally doesn’t have an undeserved reputation.”

Fudao Shanren squinted, slowly taking a bite of a chicken leg that had appeared from nowhere, chuckling.

Though this was true…

Jian Chou frowned: “I’ve heard that geniuses are mostly difficult to get along with, each having their strange temperaments. This Zhou Chenjiang seems to have only been cultivating for a few years, right? Yet he appears very amiable.”

“Grand Senior Sister, you think he’s amiable?”

Shen Jiu stepped forward, also looking in the direction Zhou Chenjiang had disappeared, his contemplative gaze finally settling on that massive stone.

Jian Chou initially didn’t understand Shen Jiu’s words, but just as she was about to ask, she closed her mouth.

Thinking carefully, she understood.

Longmen—this sect had a considerable heritage, but was now in decline. From the beginning, it could hardly compare with Yashan, let alone now. Even for a naturally gifted cultivator, when he only had Foundation Establishment cultivation and stood on Yashan’s territory filled with experts, how many would dare to be arrogant or proud?

Just thinking about Fudao Shanren’s dismissive words earlier made it clear.

What did Longmen amount to? Just something for Fudao Shanren to casually brush off.

Cough.

Of course, it was also possible that her master was too arrogant.

Jian Chou silently felt that her master’s being too arrogant accounted for the majority.

Little fatty Jianghe also squeezed over, scratching his double chin.

“I heard Longmen’s techniques come from ancient times, left by body refinement practitioners, always emphasizing physical strength. Though Zhou Chenjiang has only been cultivating briefly, he has some talent in this area. However, Longmen’s techniques have a particular characteristic—their qi meridians are relatively weak. If they encounter truly strong cultivators, they might not gain any advantage. But… I can’t understand how someone so strong could lose to someone from Kunwu who had only been in Foundation Establishment for three days?”

Don’t let the little fatty’s short, round appearance fool you—he was now genuinely a Golden Core cultivator who would be a notable figure in any other sect. His current words were quite insightful.

Even Fudao Shanren couldn’t help but nod: “If Pang Dian could guide his proud disciple to properly cultivate his qi meridians, combined with Longmen’s unique cultivation methods, he might not be unable to forge a new path. Forget it, that old fellow has come—I haven’t seen him for three hundred years…”

Muttering to himself, Fudao Shanren turned to head directly to Lanyue Hall. Unexpectedly, just as he was leaving, he stopped and called back: “Jian Chou girl!”

Jian Chou was still quite interested in Zhou Chenjiang, but since she couldn’t make contact now, she planned to return and study her two little creatures.

Hearing Fudao Shanren’s call, she turned: “Master?”

“You’ve been missing for several days. I think the sect leader is quite worried about you. At least go see him. I’ll go ahead—you change clothes first.” Fudao Shanren tossed away a chicken bone, giving his orders casually before his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.

Jian Chou looked up in surprise, seeing Fudao Shanren already walking into the high stone pavilion.

So fast…

Jian Chou was momentarily speechless: for someone like her, who could only use weapon control, keeping up with that speed was quite difficult.

Sighing, she turned back: “Junior Brother Shen…”

Her voice stopped.

Jian Chou saw the small marten and Dijiang Guyu in Shen Jiu’s arms, her mouth twitching.

Shen Jiu patted the small marten’s head, his face reddening as he coughed: “Well, Grand Senior Sister, you can go at ease. Just lend us this marten to play with for a while. When you return, we’ll give it back. We’ll take good care of it!”

“Right, right!”

Little fatty Jianghe stood beside him, nodding repeatedly.

Cough…

Having been at Yashan for so many years, they had never seen such a spiritually intelligent creature. They couldn’t help wanting to study it.

Grand Senior Sister had to follow Master—perfect timing!

Kou Qianzhi held his sword, his gaze sweeping over the small marten’s soft fur with some apparent struggle in his eyes. However, he ultimately shook his head and disappeared with a flash.

Sword obsessive—naturally, sword practice was most important.

Chen Weishan looked at Jian Chou with his usual dazed expression, declaring earnestly: “It’s fine, Grand Senior Sister, you go ahead. I believe they’ll take good care of them!”

“…”

Why does hearing you say this make me even less confident?

Chen Weishan’s words were always accurate in reverse, right?

Jian Chou developed a headache, but seeing the small marten curled contentedly in Shen Jiu’s arms with a comfortable expression, she decided to say nothing.

With a flick of her ghost axe, Jian Chou used weapon control to return to her simple, small room, changed out of her blood-stained clothes, and rarely chose a deep blue robe with heavier tones before coming to the stone pavilion, planning to pass through the long mountain corridor.

“Whoosh!”

The sound of weapon-controlled flight suddenly swept past her ear.

Jian Chou stopped immediately, looking up.

A streak of deep gray magical artifact light landed in the not-very-spacious stone pavilion, just three zhang from Jian Chou standing at the corridor entrance.

Dark robes carried an inexplicable sense of weight.

A deep gray longsword of unclear shape was withdrawn into Zhou Chenjiang’s sleeve. He stepped toward the corridor, and on his first step, he saw the female cultivator standing directly ahead.

Black hair, pale cheeks, features emanating an indescribable refinement, yet her eyes were like two deep, cold pools. Her overly straight spine, hands clasped at her waist, and slightly tensed body all made Zhou Chenjiang feel a sense of coiled power.

That was…

A predator about to hunt its prey.

This female cultivator’s collar and cuffs were embroidered with ancient thunder patterns, carrying a sense of antiquity. Deformed lightning spiraled around the sleeve edges, yet seemed like thunder crashing in his mind!

A familiar feeling.

That kind…

Hair-trigger sense of crisis!

Zhou Chenjiang’s steps strangely didn’t stop, though even he didn’t know why.

Only as he stepped forward one by one, his gaze never left this female cultivator for a moment.

One step closer, one step more dangerous.

With each step closer, he felt his heartbeat accelerating.

Blood rushed through his veins.

It was an intense battle intent.

That feeling came too quickly, too urgently, too inexplicably!

Jian Chou suddenly felt that wonderful sensation, too.

When watching him from the side earlier, it wasn’t obvious, but in this moment, watching him approach, the feeling intensified to the extreme.

She felt her body’s bones cracking inch by inch, as if some power was surging and expanding, roaring—

Everything happened in a single moment of qi convergence!

Three chi!

No one knew who struck first!

Bang!

From within Zhou Chenjiang’s body, a powerful force immediately erupted, like a smooth, brilliant sword suddenly drawn, bringing infinite radiance!

At that moment, he held nothing back!

Knee strike!

Surging, vast power swept like ocean waves, rushing forth!

But Zhou Chenjiang didn’t expect to be met with such fierce, violent force in return!

“Boom!”

Deep blue hems flew, dark thunder patterns tracing a stunning arc!

Jian Chou’s legs were long and straight, but at this moment, even afterimages couldn’t be seen—only a flash of light!

A swift flash of light!

“Bang!”

They met and immediately separated!

The two collided like lightning, then instantly flew back, almost simultaneously stomping hard on the ground, leaving deep footprints as they stabilized their forms.

At this moment, the massive shockwave finally exploded from where they had clashed.

Crash…

The hard stone ground at the center of their collision was directly blasted into a large crater, with surrounding stone surfaces cracking.

Zhou Chenjiang’s dark robes and Jian Chou’s deep blue hems danced wildly in the dust and smoke.

A draw.

A momentary contest.

What hard bones…

Zhou Chenjiang frowned, unable to hide his inner shock. Apart from Xie Buchen, among peers of the same cultivation level, there was such an outstanding figure. Even if inferior to Xie Buchen, the difference probably wasn’t far.

The only guess surfaced—

“You are that Yashan Grand Senior Sister!”

Jian Chou’s calm, composed gaze fell on Zhou Chenjiang.

So this was the cultivator who had narrowly lost to Xie Buchen?

A formidable enemy.

From just one exchange, Jian Chou could confirm she had used her strongest attack power, yet it was only an even match!

“Hahaha, truly unexpected! Before we two old fellows crossed hands, the youngsters had already become acquainted through fighting. We’re getting old, getting old.”

Loud laughter came from the mountain path behind.

An old man in Taoist robes, stroking his full white beard, emerged. His thin body was hidden beneath loose robes, appearing somewhat hunched, but his eyes flashed with sharp light.

His sleeves were embroidered with golden dragon patterns in gold thread—Elder Pang Dian from Longmen.

His seasoned gaze swept over the large crater between Jian Chou and Zhou Chenjiang, and Pang Dian already clearly understood the result of this sudden clash.

A draw.

In that instant, his pupils contracted.

That old fellow Fudao had truly taken a terrifying disciple.

Most importantly…

She was a female cultivator.

He couldn’t help glancing at Zhou Chenjiang, then at Jian Chou.

Only then did Sect Leader Zheng Yao emerge with Fudao Shanren.

Zheng Yao wore a proper smile, while Fudao Shanren looked smugly pleased. Glancing at Jian Chou, he beckoned her over.

At the same time, he lazily addressed Pang Dian: “My disciple lacks proper instruction. She’s only been on the cultivation path for a few months, fumbling along on her own. Her skills aren’t refined—this ‘Human Vessel’ body refinement method has only just reached the third layer. Her bones aren’t hard enough yet. I’m afraid, Old Pang, you’re laughing at us.”

Only just reached the third layer…

Jian Chou naturally saw Fudao Shanren beckoning. Without saying a word to Zhou Chenjiang, she simply cupped her fists slightly toward him before turning to walk back to Fudao Shanren’s side: “Master.”

Fudao Shanren nodded with satisfaction, very subtly raising his eyebrows at her.

Standing opposite, Pang Dian’s smile became somewhat stiff, but when he turned to look at Zhou Chenjiang standing in place, this stiffness transformed into indescribable intensity.

He laughed loudly: “Ah, I’m the one making Brother Fudao laugh. Though Chenjiang has followed me in cultivation for three years, he’s been stuck before the fourth gate for a year and a half, only recently showing signs of breakthrough. As his master, I’m truly ashamed, ashamed.”

Zhou Chenjiang also approached, bowing to Fudao Shanren: “Junior Zhou Chenjiang pays respects to Fudao Shanren.”

Fudao Shanren raised an eyebrow, praising: “A hero emerges from youth. In another two years at the Left Three Thousand Minor Assembly, we’ll be watching you.”

After speaking, he looked at Pang Dian across from him, smiling: “Jian Chou, this Elder Pang Dian is your master’s close friend. You’ve met him, haven’t you?”

Jian Chou had been standing beside Fudao Shanren, now stepping forward to bow: “Junior Jian Chou pays respects to Elder Pang.”

Pang Dian’s gaze swept over Jian Chou’s inscrutable face, thinking, “She’ll be troublesome in the future,” while his face bloomed with smiles.

“I’ve long heard that Brother Fudao took a female disciple comparable to Kunwu’s Xie Buchen. Seeing her today, she’s truly formidable. I’m afraid Brother Fudao spoke wrongly—at the Left Three Thousand Minor Assembly, we should be watching Yashan’s rising star.”

Zheng Yao, who had been silent on the side, was already cursing internally—these old bastards without a truthful word, look how hypocritical they’ve become. He already knew Fudao Shanren was always this cheap, but Pang Dian deliberately bringing up “comparable to Xie Buchen” was somewhat malicious.

After all, Jian Chou and Zhou Chenjiang had just fought to a draw, while Zhou Chenjiang had genuinely lost to Xie Buchen.

Jian Chou naturally heard the comparison and provocation in these words. She wisely kept quiet.

It was better to just listen when these scheming, shameless elders spoke.

Zhou Chenjiang, on the other side, seemed to understand this principle as well.

He maintained a faint smile, standing beside Pang Dian. His seven-chi frame made Pang Dian appear even more wizened.

Hearing Pang Dian’s words, Fudao Shanren laughed ominously: “Old Pang, are you saying directly or indirectly that my Fudao’s disciple is inferior?”

Pang Dian quickly cupped his fists: “Brother Fudao truly wrongs me. How would I dare say such things? I just feel that my disciple will surely leap over the dragon gate one day and become one of the foremost figures in all of Shijiu Zhou.”

“Bullshit!”

Fudao Shanren, who had been speaking elegantly with Pang Dian, suddenly revealed his true nature!

He rolled his eyes: “He can’t even beat my newly accepted disciple!”

Pang Dian’s expression darkened momentarily but immediately recovered.

He smiled: “Can’t beat her? Can’t beat her today, but who knows about the future?”

“Hahahaha…” Fudao Shanren burst into laughter, absolutely arrogant: “Oh my, Old Pang, you never give up. My disciple cultivates extremely fast—no one can stop her. Not just you, but even Xie Buchen from Kunwu will eventually be beaten to death by my disciple. In the future? The future will still be Yashan first!”

These words were brazen enough!

Zhou Chenjiang’s eyes immediately lit up with strange brilliance.

Though he said nothing, he was already looking at Jian Chou.

Also looking over was Pang Dian.

Fudao Shanren’s words were too absolute, still in his old arrogant style, carrying the Fengmo Yashan flavor. Only at times like this would Pang Dian feel that Fudao was still the same Fudao as before.

He laughed loudly, then shouted: “Since Brother Fudao makes such bold claims, I can’t help but see it through! How about we bet our fortunes—two years from now, before the Left Three Thousand Minor Assembly, let our two disciples battle. If I lose, Longmen’s Underwater Lake is yours! If you lose, you must offer your Qiankun Sixteen Caves! Do you dare make this wager?”

“Bet! Why wouldn’t I dare bet?”

Fudao Shanren answered without hesitation!

But the moment he agreed, he was already cursing Pang Dian’s ancestors eighteen generations deep!

Damn you, try making such private bets with me!

I won’t fight you for three hundred rounds without being called Fudao!

“Hahahaha…” Hearing this, Pang Dian burst into laughter, seemingly infinitely pleased. Shaking his head, he turned to leave: “Fudao ah Fudao, saving face only to suffer! I can’t stand your arrogant attitude most of all. This time, just watch! Good disciple, we’re leaving!”

After speaking, he transformed into white light and shot into the distance.

Zhou Chenjiang’s eyes held indescribable wonder.

He glanced at Jian Chou, hiding that burning battle intent, and bowed slightly: “Junior takes his leave.”

After speaking, he followed.

Jian Chou gazed at that retreating figure, then at the deep crater left on the ground, and couldn’t help but furrow her brow, remaining silent for a long time.

Pang Dian…

That final “damn it” really revealed his true colors.

Truly, birds of a feather flock together—Fudao Shanren’s so-called “close friend” was just this type.

“Master…”

She turned to say something to Fudao Shanren.

Unexpectedly, Fudao Shanren looked up eerily: “What are you still doing here?”

Eh…

What did he mean?

Jian Chou could never follow Fudao Shanren’s thought process, looking puzzled.

“Why aren’t you going to cultivate?” Fudao Shanren asked.

Jian Chou was stunned: “Master, I just returned…”

“Jian Chou!!”

An earth-shaking shout suddenly rang out.

Jian Chou felt her hair standing on end!

A black shadow pounced before her—Fudao Shanren directly lunging forward, grabbing her arm with tears and snot, beating his chest and stamping his feet, wailing: “Master’s fortune and life are all bet away! Saving face only to suffer—Master’s savings of several hundred years, you absolutely cannot lose them!! Master’s heart hurts so much…”