146: Chapter 146 You've messed with me?

"An affair?"

Xu Changsheng patted her head.

"What are you thinking?"

"But I heard you say you were going to heal her."

"Didn't I heal you as well? Do you expect me to be at your beck and call exclusively?"

Crimson Rainbow's face reddened. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

"Fairy Ni, you certainly have a vivid imagination."

Chi Yu was in a great mood and had no desire to be competitive. She said softly:

"Sister Ni, you're too unkind. When I came to see you before, you were so tight-lipped, saying you got better on your own. You completely fooled me; I almost believed you."

"Humph, I'm not telling. What right do you have to know about this?"

Crimson Rainbow snorted coldly, her watery eyes fixed on Xu Changsheng:

"Brother Xu, I've helped you so much to earn your assistance. You won't just give it to Sister Yu for free because of her looks, will you?"

Xu Changsheng looked her in the eye, speechless for a moment. "Of course not."

Chi Yu had already prepared her Spirit Stones and suddenly pushed her Storage Pouch toward Xu Changsheng.

The latter glanced at it and pushed it back.

Seeing this, Crimson Rainbow beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. "Sister Yu, it seems Brother Xu doesn't care for your things?"

Seeing this.

Chi Yu also became a bit flustered and reached for her waist again. "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have more Spirit Stones here."

But she was interrupted by a wave of his hand.

"I am not lacking Spirit Stones."

"Then what do you desire, Fellow Daoist? If I have it, I will surely find it for you."

Xu Changsheng handed over a list of second-grade Materials for the Yin Sword of the divine wood two principles sword.

"If Fairy Yu provides all the Materials on this list, I can perform two healing sessions for you."

"Alright."

Scanning the list, although it contained some hard-to-find Yin-attribute materials.

They were only second-grade Materials after all, and their value didn't even match the bag of Spirit Stones she had offered. With the backing of the Jinyang Sect, there was a good chance she could find them all.

"I understand. However, a few of these Materials might take some effort. It's unlikely I'll find them all before the Hundred Sects Trial."

"It's fine, you can owe me. Once you've gathered the Materials, you can find me in the Yellow Ox Immortal City. This short-range communication talisman will help you locate me in the city."

"I understand."

...

Meanwhile.

In the academy at the Mingjing Hall's residence, Shen Jinglun sat before the Four Treasures of the Study, holding a brush as he sketched an ink landscape painting.

Just then.

A young boy dressed as a page walked in and bowed. "Senior Brother."

The brush strokes paused.

"Well?"

He presented a Jade Slip with both hands. "I've investigated Xu Changsheng's background and identity. Please take a look."

Long, slender fingers picked up the Jade Slip and opened it to read.

"Dao Rhyme Foundation Establishment? Interesting."

"Senior Brother, I believe those are just rumors. If it were truly a Dao Rhyme Foundation Establishment, how could the Yellow Ox Immortal City not have recruited him?"

"Regardless, this Xu Changsheng is likely no ordinary Loose Cultivator. Add him to the list for now."

"Yes."

The boy walked out of the study with the Jade Slip.

Shen Jinglun sat down again, looking at the bamboo forest outside the window. His hand gripping the brush suddenly tightened.

"If you dare to obstruct the grand plan for the marriage alliance between the two sects, you will be like a mantis trying to stop a carriage—overestimating your own strength."

...

The next day.

In the quiet pine forest near the entrance to the Secret Realm.

Yan Jinghong looked at Xu Changsheng in disbelief. "Wasn't Senior Sister Crimson Rainbow supposed to guard our team? Why was it changed to you?"

The latter gave a light yawn. "I don't know either. In any case, True Man Zhuzhao entrusted you all to me."

Seeing his lazy demeanor, Yan Jinghong suppressed his anger. "Where is the token?"

"For what?"

"I want to verify the token!"

"Here."

Xu Changsheng had only come to act as a hired hand and didn't intend to sour his relationship with Yan Jinghong, a future Golden Core Seed.

It was Li Hongxuan this kid had humiliated, not him.

Taking the jade token and turning it over to inspect it, Yan Jinghong finally accepted the fact that he wouldn't be seeing his beloved.

He irritably threw the token back with force, like a sharp arrow, the pointed end aimed straight at Xu Changsheng.

"Watch out!"

Crimson Glow, who was nearby, called out a warning.

Clap!

He caught the bamboo token with ease. "Since Fellow Daoist Yan has finished the verification, let's get moving. I will follow behind to protect you."

Just then.

Yan Jinghong lowered his head and let out a stifled laugh. "Who wants your protection!"

Hearing this.

Xu Changsheng's expression immediately turned cold. He had given the kid a way out, but the kid didn't want to take it. He had finally provoked him.

Yet he still maintained an indifferent expression. "As you wish. I am merely fulfilling my duty. As for whether you need protection, we'll see when the time comes."

"We'll see when the time comes?"

Yan Jinghong asked back as if he had heard a joke.

"Is there a problem?" Xu Changsheng had a measured smile on his face.

Yan Jinghong suddenly took three steps forward, leaving less than a zhang between them.

He gave a slight bow, feigning a respectful manner. "In my humble opinion, the conclusion has already been reached."

Raising an eyebrow: "And what conclusion might that be, Fellow Daoist Yan? Feel free to speak your mind."

Having already guessed what Yan Jinghong was about to do, Xu Changsheng's hand, hidden in his sleeve, unconsciously clenched.

"The conclusion is that a weak Foundation Establishment Cultivator like you, Senior, is not enough to protect us."

Besides Yan Jinghong and Crimson Glow, there were three others in the team—two men and one woman, all of whom were Yan Jinghong's confidants.

Hearing their leader speak, and having seen Yan Jinghong's Divine Might when he defeated a Foundation Establishment Cultivator the other day.

They couldn't help but chime in. "Senior Brother Yan is right. How can a piece of trash like this be qualified to protect us? We're the team that's going to win the top prize!"

"Exactly. We should go to the Sect and request a replacement. We need at least a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with deep strength like Senior Sister Crimson Rainbow."

"Crimson Glow, do you agree with us? Go get your cousin."

Crimson Glow blushed, unsure of what to say. Before coming, Crimson Rainbow had specifically instructed her that Xu Changsheng was very strong and that she must listen to him.

Summoning her courage, she shook her head. "No, I don't agree. Senior Xu has the strength to protect us."

After saying that.

She instinctively moved behind Xu Changsheng.

Seeing this.

Yan Jinghong frowned. "It seems Junior Sister Crimson Glow doesn't trust us and would rather trust this outsider."

"No, I just think that since the Sect has assigned Senior Xu to us, we should follow the Sect's instructions."

She tried to use the Sect's authority to pressure them.

But Yan Jinghong wasn't buying it. He took another step forward. "Then it seems I, your Senior Brother, need to clear your head for you so you can regain the memory you lost the other day."

He slapped his Storage Pouch and summoned that top-grade Glazed Crystal Spirit Sword.

His entire cultivation's Qi surged into the Spirit Sword.

The next instant.

The Spirit Sword activated, aimed directly at Xu Changsheng's leg.

Whoosh!

It lunged forward.

However, in the next moment, a bizarre scene unfolded.

Crack!

The Spirit Sword seemed as if it were drunk, wobbling and missing its target entirely, instead plunging into the nearby mud.

"How is this possible!"

Disbelief flashed in Yan Jinghong's eyes.