Upon hearing these words, everyone was stunned.

Not dare to listen?

How could there be not daring to listen?

Though Jian Chou’s words were unclear, the coldness in her expression showed not the slightest hint of jest, only hiding something somewhat thrilling!

The scene immediately quieted down.

Lu Song had originally just casually expressed his dissatisfaction with Jian Chou.

After all, yesterday he had already given her his advice, only hoping she could think clearly. Who would have expected that not only did things not improve that night, but they even escalated!

Unable to restrain himself, he had voiced his suspicions as accusations.

Honestly, this wasn’t just Lu Song’s suspicion alone, but what most cultivators of the Nineteen Continents found puzzling.

Perfectly fine—as the foremost figures of Yashan and Kunwu respectively, even if Jian Chou and Xie Buchen couldn’t be shoulder-to-shoulder allies like their masters, at least they should maintain appearances, right?

But whether it was the Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm eighty years ago or the Western Territory Sacred Temple twenty years ago, Jian Chou’s performance had greatly exceeded everyone’s expectations.

With yesterday’s Lanke Tower incident, all sorts of criticisms about her had become rampant.

Others hadn’t said it to Yashan’s face out of some remaining respect for Yashan.

But was there really nothing wrong with her actions?

Certainly, no one could deny Yashan’s integrity, but this didn’t mean every Yashan disciple wouldn’t go astray. Otherwise, where would today’s Sword Emperor Qu Zhengfeng of Mingri Star Sea come from?

Though Lu Song knew his words were excessive, who in his position could do better?

The demon he had spared yesterday had come to attack at night!

Now he was in such a wretched state, severely injured and missing an arm! To not go completely mad while retaining some rationality, he considered he had done his utmost!

“Not dare to listen?”

Lu Song felt Jian Chou’s words were completely unreasonable and extremely absurd!

“I thought you were a reasonable person, but that demon has done such things, yet you won’t consider the orthodox path of the world?! Come, if you have the courage to speak, I, Lu Song, have the courage to stand here and listen!”

Tsk.

Fudao Shanren’s eyebrows immediately rose. Just now he had felt this matter was quite troublesome and hadn’t thought of a suitable excuse, but who would have expected the situation to turn and suddenly become interesting!

He directly took out a chicken leg and took a bite.

—This posture clearly showed he was preparing to watch a show.

Those who understood Fudao Shanren could tell at a glance, and felt somewhat uncertain in their hearts. But there were many who didn’t understand Fudao Shanren’s nature, and at this moment they all looked toward Jian Chou.

Lu Song had said this much, she should say something, right?

But Jian Chou smiled.

At this moment, she actually found this unreasonable old fellow Lu Song rather cute, so she took a step before the screen wall and glanced at Xie Buchen.

“The grievance between Fellow Daoist Xie of Kunwu and myself, well, that’s a long story. Back then on the isolated human island…”

“Nephew Jian Chou.”

The four words “isolated human island” had just emerged, before any substantial content could be revealed, someone nearby was unwilling to listen further and only laughed lightly, speaking to interrupt.

The smile on Jian Chou’s face became more radiant, and with a turn of her eyes, she saw True Person Hengxu, who had been standing in place without moving.

His face held dignity, his eyes held wisdom.

He presented an awe-inspiring appearance, a clear and upright aura that made cultivators throughout the world submit.

But in her eyes, it was truly hypocritical, truly carrying an air of sanctimonious pretense.

So she acted as if she had just noticed this leader of the world’s orthodox path, seeming surprised as she slightly raised her eyebrows, appearing confused about why he had suddenly spoken to interrupt her: “True Person, do you have instruction?”

“Nephew has reached Void Refining cultivation and is now one of the few great cultivators in the Nineteen Continents. This old Daoist’s cultivation is truly not much higher than nephew’s, so I dare not speak of instruction.”

True Person Hengxu showed a humble attitude, only sighed, and glanced at Lu Song again.

“It’s just that today’s matter was originally insignificant. Pavilion Master Lu has always been straightforward and speaks too directly, so his words occasionally have some thoughtless aspects. I believe he didn’t truly mean to question nephew’s character. After all, since entering the sect, what Nephew Jian Chou has done is witnessed by all under heaven.”

So True Person Hengxu couldn’t maintain his composure after all!

Fudao Shanren immediately disappointedly put away the chicken leg he had only half-eaten, feeling it had become tasteless. Of course, his face also showed undisguised, obvious mockery.

To others, it seemed to carry a hint of schadenfreude.

Jian Chou felt ironic in her heart but didn’t expose Hengxu’s true purpose for interrupting her at this moment. She only followed his words: “True Person flatters me. Jian Chou is merely a junior. In Pavilion Master Lu’s mouth, whether I’m even qualified to call myself a ‘disciple of Yashan’ is questionable. I don’t dare accept such praise.”

Where was the lack of daring!

This was clearly bringing mockery right to the face of Kunwu’s head!

Among the onlookers were people from the Southern, Northern, and Central Domains. Not only had many orthodox cultivators come, but even those from the demon and devil paths had come to watch the excitement.

At this moment, hearing these few exchanges between the two, they felt that no matter how they interpreted it, there was a taste of hidden daggers.

Especially those from the demon and devil paths.

Always coming from bloody storms and going through rain of blood, from bloody battles to verbal battles, they had fought countless times. This scene before them might not feel like much to orthodox cultivators, but they were familiar with it!

Back at Tongguan Station, when the leaders of the demon and devil paths sat down with Grand Marshal Shen Yao to discuss matters, wasn’t it exactly this kind of hidden knives and secret spears?

They had long felt that things between Yashan and Kunwu weren’t as peaceful as they seemed.

Unexpectedly, it was true!

Anyone with eyes could see that True Person Hengxu’s timing in interrupting Jian Chou was too subtle, and when Jian Chou responded to this transcendent Kunwu head, her attitude showed no fear whatsoever.

There were hidden secrets!

There was a good show to watch!

The atmosphere in the field had indeed become subtle.

Even the most straightforward Lu Song sensed something was wrong.

His temperament was direct, but that didn’t mean he was stupid. He could still sense the faintly tense atmosphere between True Person Hengxu and Jian Chou, and his heart immediately sank.

Earlier, he had repeatedly pressed about Fu Chaosheng, demanding they bring out this great demon for confrontation, and his words hadn’t been very polite either.

But Jian Chou had no particular reaction.

Yesterday at Lanke Tower, she could still engage in fierce combat, but just now she only stood there, gripping her sword without speaking, as if thinking and enduring.

Only when his mouth ran away with him and he thoughtlessly mentioned her “harboring malicious intent” did she react, questioning him in return, leading to the current situation.

She had endured everything before but couldn’t endure the latter part—why?

Doubts suddenly emerged.

Lu Song’s gaze circled around Jian Chou and also quietly glanced toward Xie Buchen beside her, his expression becoming unpleasant.

In this situation, there could only be one explanation.

And this explanation was something he had never anticipated before.

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Song wanted to get to the bottom of it: “True Person, this matter—”

“Pavilion Master Lu,” True Person Hengxu didn’t let him finish the rest of his words either, only smiled and said lightly, “Now on the eve of important discussions, for you to encounter such dangerous circumstances was truly unexpected for all of us. Please, Pavilion Master Lu, temporarily set aside your prejudice against Nephew Jian Chou and focus on resolving the main matter. Pavilion Master, you say the great demon that attacked last night was the one from Lanke Tower yesterday?”

“Absolutely no mistake!”

Lu Song actually didn’t want to continue questioning Jian Chou’s character, but only wanted to clarify the so-called “origin of the grievance.”

But with True Person Hengxu’s interruption and questioning, he couldn’t continue and could only follow along with the main business.

However, after this incident, his tone became much more peaceful: “Last night I was meditating in my room when unexpectedly a demonic wind swept outside, and a demonic shadow entered and tore off one of my arms. This demon’s strength was astonishing and extremely fierce. I barely managed to exchange several moves with it but was truly no match, being severely injured. It didn’t take my life but sealed my throat with a talisman, preventing speech. Only this morning did I manage with great effort to partially break it. Speaking has become like this.”

The talisman at Lu Song’s neck and throat was visible to everyone.

People’s hearts turned cold upon hearing this!

They had originally thought that even if it was a heaven-reaching great demon, it should have fought with Lu Song for some time. But now hearing Lu Song’s words, he had no power to fight back at all?!

Even Hengxu was somewhat surprised.

His brow immediately furrowed: “But according to Pavilion Master Lu’s words, when this demon attacked you, it was only a demonic shadow, and you didn’t see its true form?”

“That’s correct, but that aura—my Tongling Pavilion has had countless contacts with demons and spirits. I, Lu Song, would not misidentify it.”

Lu Song insisted firmly, with absolute certainty.

True Person Hengxu pondered for a moment, then looked toward the Yashan group with a gentle expression, but didn’t speak to Jian Chou, only looking at Fudao Shanren.

“Brother Fudao, I heard this demon was brought to Star Sea by Yashan. With our many years of friendship, Yashan’s conduct never needs questioning. But now that this has happened, it cannot be ignored. Speaking fairly, Pavilion Master Lu is truly without fault. Even if his severed arm can be reattached, he has suffered an undeserved calamity. Could we ask this Fellow Daoist Fu to come out and clarify matters?”

“Oh, clarify matters?”

Though Fudao Shanren also felt Lu Song was unlucky, hearing Hengxu’s words, no matter how he heard them they didn’t sit right, so he chuckled.

“You, Hengxu, arrive only to immediately play the peacemaker. You really consider yourself the leader of the orthodox path?”

Seemingly joking, but actually mocking.

How could Hengxu not hear it?

But his smile didn’t change, nor did he show any anger, as if he was already accustomed to it and didn’t take it to heart at all: “If I can succeed as a peacemaker, that would be some contribution to the current situation. Why not? I just wonder, where is this Fellow Daoist Fu now?”

“Are you looking for me?”

True Person Hengxu’s words had just fallen, and Fudao hadn’t had time to respond when a calm voice came from the side.

Everyone was immediately startled and looked toward the source of the voice.

Who else could it be but Fu Chaosheng, who had caused great chaos at Lanke Tower yesterday?

The young man walking toward them was tall and handsome, his beautiful features carrying a spiritual aura that harmonized with heaven and earth, yet those eyes were particularly distant.

The fish hairpin had disappeared, replaced by an ordinary ebony hairpin.

He wore his azure-colored long robe, and among the several pale green patterns on the hem, one faintly formed the shape of a fish.

Clearly walking from inside the courtyard, yet he gave the impression of emerging from the torrents of heaven, earth, and time. As if no matter how vast these torrents of time flowed, he would not change in the slightest, remaining as before.

Jian Chou watched him thus, her feelings immediately becoming complex.

She had thought he wouldn’t appear.

Unexpectedly, he still came, and even took the initiative to speak with this leader of the world’s orthodox path, standing so fearlessly and openly before True Person Hengxu!

The moment he appeared, True Person Hengxu had already sensed his aura.

In his eyes that penetrated heavenly mysteries, his pupils slightly contracted, almost instantly confirming Fu Chaosheng’s identity. He remembered those mayflies that had vanished overnight from the Nineteen Continents and the Western Sea islands, and also recalled the aura he had once sensed near Great Dream Reef…

“So it’s you.”

That supremely evil great demon he had once calculated!

That supremely evil great demon he had once sent Wu Duan to investigate with no results!

After all these years, Hengxu had almost forgotten such an existence existed, until now!

When the incident at Lanke Tower occurred yesterday, he was still helping Xie Buchen resist the heavenly tribulation—where would he have had the attention to spare for these matters? Who could have expected that seeing this legendary great demon today, it would be the same one from years ago!

Yashan…

And he was actually standing with Yashan, and from the context, had close dealings with Jian Chou!

Fudao Shanren had never mentioned this to him at all!

A gaze of vague wariness and hostility flickered, and Hengxu only looked deeply at Fudao Shanren, who stood ahead with his hands behind his back, before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

But Fu Chaosheng didn’t speak.

He had known back then that someone had sensed his and Kun Peng’s location during that incident at the Western Sea, discovering his traces, but he hadn’t cared in the slightest.

He hadn’t cared then, and he didn’t care now.

The famous True Person Hengxu was no different from other cultivators in his eyes. Perhaps the only difference was that his cultivation was somewhat higher than others.

But only somewhat.

Not enough to make him fearful, much less to make him constrained.

So at this moment, he didn’t pause his steps at all, walking to Jian Chou’s side before stopping.

Jian Chou was still looking at him.

He also raised his head to look back at Jian Chou, but at this moment, neither could understand the other’s gaze—

Fu Chaosheng felt Jian Chou’s eyes held everything; Jian Chou felt Fu Chaosheng’s eyes held nothing.

There was a moment of quiet in the field.

Lu Song’s anger immediately flared up again. If not for people restraining him from behind, he would have almost immediately rushed forward to fight with Fu Chaosheng.

Seeing him still swaggering about without the slightest fear, his nose was crooked with rage: “You actually dare to appear?!”

“What’s there not to dare about appearing?”

Fu Chaosheng’s gaze finally withdrew from Jian Chou’s eyes, giving Lu Song a proper look for the first time. Upon seeing his wretched state, he showed no reaction whatsoever.

Complete indifference!

Neither surprised nor concerned.

As if what he was looking at wasn’t a cultivator in such a wretched state, but just a random stone thrown by the roadside!

That coldness and contempt made almost everyone’s hearts turn cold.

True Person Hengxu didn’t reveal too many clues, only reassuringly patted Lu Song’s shoulder, indicating he should calm down, then smiled slightly, seeming not to mind Fu Chaosheng’s identity as a great demon at all.

He only said: “If my old eyes aren’t deceiving me, you were originally a mayfly?”

Fu Chaosheng looked at him, still not answering.

True Person Hengxu didn’t mind either, because the answer was already in his heart, so even his tone didn’t change in the slightest: “Pavilion Master Lu is the master of our Central Domain’s Left Three Thousand Tongling Pavilion. Last night he was attacked by a demon, severely injured, and lost an arm. I wonder if you’ve heard of this matter?”

“I heard.”

Using “heard,” Fu Chaosheng meant he had heard it on the way here.

True Person Hengxu nodded, accepting this answer.

After all, this great demon’s cultivation even he found somewhat unfathomable. To know from a distance what had just happened here would be simple indeed.

However, what he wanted to ask wasn’t so simple.

“When I first detected your presence above the Western Sea, I thought some demon would bring chaos to the world, so I sent people to investigate, but found nothing. I never expected that today you would appear with Yashan.”

“Yashan has always been a famous sect in our Central Domain. Whether Fudao Shanren or Nephew Jian Chou, both are trustworthy.”

“So I think, though you are a great demon, you should be trustworthy.”

His voice was measured, with a composed tone. True Person Hengxu spoke bit by bit, seamlessly. When he reached this point, it might even make people feel quite pleased.

But below, the meaning had already turned.

“However, though I’m willing to trust Yashan, to trust Brother Fudao and Nephew Jian Chou.”

“The matter has already occurred, and Pavilion Master Lu, who has dealt with demons and spirits for many years, insists that last night’s attacker was you.”

“I wonder, how do you explain this?”