330: Chapter 330 The Saintess's Master is Actually a Mortal?

The door to the private room was pushed open.

A middle-aged man wearing crimson armor strode inside.

He had a burly build, a resolute face, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, radiating an Evil Qi tempered by long years on the battlefield.

Cultivation—Late Stage Body Integration Stage.

As soon as he entered, his gaze locked directly onto Su Changge, who was sitting in the seat of honor.

However, in the next instant, his footsteps faltered slightly.

Because what he saw was a man in white who appeared to have no Spiritual Qi fluctuations at all, holding a teacup and unhurriedly blowing on the steam rising from the tea.

A flicker of doubt crossed the envoy's mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

A person personally invited by Hall Revered Master Xiao Huang could not possibly be an ordinary person.

He dropped to one knee and cupped his fists in salute.

“Blazing Dragon Sacred Hall, Northern Guard Commandant Chi Hong, by order of the Hall Revered Master, pays respects to the Lord of the Lingxu Wasteland, Dao Lord Su.”

Su Changge set down his teacup and looked calmly at the kneeling Chi Hong.

[Late Stage Body Integration Stage, huh? If he slapped me, I'd be turned into a meat patty.]

[But his kneeling posture is quite standard. Fine, let's hear what he has to say first.]

“Rise.” Su Changge’s voice wasn't loud, his tone as flat as if he were remarking on the nice weather.

Chi Hong stood up, took out a red-gold medallion from his robes, and presented it with both hands.

“Hall Revered Master Xiao Huang ordered this general to inform the Dao Lord—the Crimson Clouds above Divine Flame Mountain began to fluctuate three days ago. Occasional thunder has been heard from within the clouds, suggesting signs that the underground Seal has loosened.”

“The Hall Revered Master has summoned various major forces of the Blazing Dragon War Continent to establish a temporary camp at the foot of Divine Flame Mountain for day and night monitoring.”

“The Hall Revered Master requests that the Dao Lord set out as soon as possible for Divine Flame Mountain to discuss the grand plan.”

Sitting opposite him, Ye Qingyao’s already solemn expression grew even heavier upon hearing these words.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Su Changge.

[As Revered Master expected.]

[The Seal has already begun to have problems.]

[Fluctuations started three days ago... if it continues to worsen...]

Ye Qingyao didn't dare think further.

Su Changge took the red-gold medallion, flipped it over casually, and then placed it on the table.

“This Seat understands.”

Chi Hong waited for a moment, but no further words followed.

He asked somewhat hesitantly, “Dao Lord, when will you set out? The Hall Revered Master is pressing for urgency...”

Su Changge picked up his teacup and took another sip.

“When it is time to arrive, I shall naturally arrive.”

Just that one sentence.

The corner of Chi Hong’s mouth twitched slightly.

It sounded like he had said nothing, yet also like he had said everything.

He didn't dare press further and could only cup his fists. “This general understands. I shall return to report back immediately.”

As Chi Hong exited the private room, he happened to lock eyes with Xie Xuanyi outside the door.

Chi Hong glanced at the ashen-faced Senior Brother of the Taixu Immortal Sect, said nothing, and left directly.

Xie Xuanyi stared at Chi Hong’s departing back, his doubts only increasing.

[A Commandant of the Blazing Dragon Sacred Hall, a Cultivator at the Late Stage Body Integration Stage, actually knelt on one knee to that 'Mortal'?]

[Just what is going on here?]

His gaze shifted back to the closed door of the room, his teeth clenched.

No.

He had to go in and see.

He had to personally verify that man's true cultivation.

Ye Qingyao was the Junior Sister he had watched grow up; she was the most precious existence in his heart.

If that man was a fraud—he would never sit idly by.

Xie Xuanyi took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the private room.

Zhao Tian reached out to stop him, but Xie Xuanyi’s spiritual power suddenly erupted. With his Peak Body Integration Stage cultivation running at full force, he forced his way inside.

“Junior Sister Qingyao!”

Xie Xuanyi stepped into the room, his gaze like lightning as it swept over Su Changge and Ye Qingyao.

“Senior Brother, what is the matter?” Ye Qingyao’s voice turned cold.

Xie Xuanyi didn't look at her, instead staring intently at Su Changge.

“I am the Senior Brother of the Taixu Immortal Sect, Xie Xuanyi.”

He cupped his fists in a salute that was neither humble nor arrogant, but the probing and suspicion in his tone were almost undisguised.

“I have long heard of the great name of the Lord of the Lingxu Wasteland. Seeing you today, you are indeed... unique.”

He emphasized the word 'unique' heavily.

The implication was—how can a fellow who looks like a Mortal deserve to have Ye Qingyao call you Revered Master?

Su Changge set down his teacup and lifted his eyelids to glance at Xie Xuanyi.

Just one glance.

Then he lowered his head again and continued drinking his tea.

[Here it comes, the classic 'unwilling to accept Junior Sister calling someone else Revered Master' trope.]

[I've seen plenty of these jealous characters with crushes on their Junior Sisters in novels. I'm well-versed in handling this.]

[The core secret is just one word—ignore.]

[The more I ignore him, the more he'll think I'm unfathomable. Savor it, savor it slowly.]

Xie Xuanyi’s expression turned even uglier.

He was being ignored.

He, the grand Senior Brother of the Taixu Immortal Sect and a Prodigy at the Peak of Body Integration, didn't even deserve a direct look in the other's eyes?

“Dao Lord.” Xie Xuanyi took a step forward, a hint of sharpness entering his tone.

“There is something I do not understand that I wish to ask the Dao Lord.”

Ye Qingyao’s brow furrowed sharply.

“Senior Brother—”

“Qingyao.” Xie Xuanyi interrupted her, “Let me finish.”

He looked directly at Su Changge and said in a deep voice:

“The Lingxu Wasteland is located on the fringes of the Qingming Domain. In terms of strength and heritage, it is far inferior to the various immortal sects of my Chixiao Dao Domain.”

“Since the Dao Lord claims to be the 'Lord of the Lingxu Wasteland', your cultivation must surely be extraordinary.”

“I am untalented, but I wish to experience the Dao Lord's—”

“Xie Xuanyi!”

Ye Qingyao’s voice suddenly rose, carrying a sharp, biting chill.

The temperature in the entire room seemed to drop by ten degrees in an instant.

The Spiritual Pressure of the Mahayana Stage was released without reservation, pressing directly down on Xie Xuanyi.

Xie Xuanyi’s face turned pale, and his legs buckled involuntarily.

He almost knelt.

Ye Qingyao stood up, looking at her Senior Brother with cold eyes.

“Do you have any idea what you are doing?”

“You want to test Revered Master's cultivation?”

“Do you think you are worthy?”

These words were extremely harsh.

Xie Xuanyi grit his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging.

“Qingyao, I only—”

“You only what?” Ye Qingyao took a step forward, her voice dropping lower.

“Senior Brother, out of regard for our sect ties, I will give you a piece of advice.”

“Is Revered Master's cultivation something you can pry into?”

“Peak Body Integration? Before Revered Master, you are not even as good as an insect.”

“If Revered Master took offense at your actions just now, how many lives would you have to pay with?”

Xie Xuanyi’s back was soaked.

It wasn't because of Ye Qingyao’s Spiritual Pressure—though the Mahayana Stage did indeed crush Body Integration.

It was because of the heartfelt certainty and reverence in Ye Qingyao’s eyes.

She wasn't acting.

She truly believed that the man in white was unfathomable.

Xie Xuanyi’s gaze fell upon Su Changge once more.

Su Changge was still drinking tea.

From beginning to end, he hadn't even looked directly at Xie Xuanyi a second time.

That indifference, that disregard, was not faked.

At least in Xie Xuanyi’s eyes, it wasn't.

Because when a truly weak person is questioned, they will show some signs of guilt—shifting eyes, rapid breathing, an instinctive step back.

But Su Changge didn't have a single such reaction.

He just drank tea.

As if everything happening before him was as boring as ants fighting on the roadside.

Xie Xuanyi’s heart sank.

[Could it be... he really is a peerless expert who has achieved Return to Simplicity?]

[If he really is Ye Qingyao’s Revered Master... then his cultivation must be at least above the Mahayana Stage?]

[Tribulation Transcendence Stage? Or even... higher?]

Xie Xuanyi’s lips felt slightly dry.

He thought of the Old Ancestor of the Taixu Immortal Sect, a being at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage who also usually maintained a calm and unruffled demeanor.

The bearing of the man before him actually shared a few similarities with the Old Ancestor.

No, he was even more composed than the Old Ancestor.

The Old Ancestor would at least occasionally frown or sigh.

This person... didn't even bother to change his expression.

Xie Xuanyi finally took a step back.

“...I was impetuous.”

He barely squeezed out those words, cupped his fists toward Su Changge, and then turned to walk out of the room.

The door to the private room closed again.

Ye Qingyao turned around to face Su Changge, her tone carrying a hint of apology.

“Revered Master, Senior Brother was only—”

“No matter.” Su Changge interrupted her.

He set down his teacup, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.

“For a young man to have some spirit is not a bad thing.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Ye Qingyao was deeply moved once again.

[Revered Master said 'young man'!]

[He evaluated Senior Brother Xie with the tone of an elder!]

[Senior Brother Xie looks at least twenty years older than him, yet in Revered Master's eyes, he is still a 'young man'!]

[This proves Revered Master's true age is much more ancient than he appears!]

Ye Qingyao’s imagination went into overdrive, and Su Changge’s image in her heart rose another notch.

Meanwhile, what Su Changge was actually thinking was—

[Thank goodness that jealous guy finally left.]

[I almost thought he was going to attack; my life was nearly forfeit right here.]

[Luckily Ye Qingyao is fierce enough; that Mahayana Stage Spiritual Pressure drove him right out.]

[Having this girl by my side is like carrying a walking nuclear bomb. Whoever dares to touch me, she'll pressure them into a state of self-doubt.]

Just as he was feeling relieved, Zhao Tian’s voice suddenly came from outside the room again.

“Dao Lord, Xie Xuanyi is outside the door and seems to be sending a message.”

“He mentioned a name—the Old Ancestor of the Taixu Immortal Sect, Immortal Master Yunyin.”

Su Changge’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Ye Qingyao’s expression also changed.

“Senior Brother... is contacting the Old Ancestor?”

Ye Qingyao murmured to herself, her face then darkening.

“He won't give up; he wants the Old Ancestor to come and verify Revered Master's identity.”

Su Changge’s hand holding the teacup paused for a moment.

[Old Ancestor? A Tribulation Transcendence Stage Old Ancestor?]

[Is this Xie Xuanyi worried the situation isn't big enough?]

[Bringing an Old Ancestor to test me? You're really cranking up the difficulty!]

His heart rate accelerated, but the expression on his face remained completely unmoved.

Ye Qingyao glanced at him and found that her Revered Master was still as calm as ever, which gave her even more confidence.

[Revered Master doesn't even have a ripple of emotion upon hearing the Old Ancestor's name.]

[It seems that in Revered Master's eyes, even the Tribulation Transcendence Stage is nothing special.]

“Revered Master, I will go handle—”

“No need.”

Su Changge’s voice was very calm.

“If your Senior Brother wants to invite the Old Ancestor, then let him come.”

Ye Qingyao’s breath hitched.

Su Changge took a sip of tea, looked at the sky outside the window, and said softly:

“This Seat would like to see just what kind of person the Old Ancestor of the Taixu Immortal Sect is.”