169: You didn't expect it, you just don't care

Qin Manyang pursed her lips and bowed slightly, "Greetings, Saint."

Xu Sanyan waved his hand casually, "Hey, we're so familiar, why be so formal?"

Qin Manyang had countless questions she wanted to ask. She wanted to know how Xu Sanyan got out of Da Gu Mountain and how he became a Saint, but what she was most curious about was Xu Sanyan's Cultivation.

She found that she… couldn't see through his Cultivation anymore!

Qin Manyang's lips moved, but the words caught in her throat. The current Xu Sanyan was no longer the person she could manipulate.

Listening to their conversation, Liu Tang felt a little curious and stroked his beard as he looked at Qin Manyang, "Elder Qin knows the Saint?"

Before Qin Manyang could answer, Xu Sanyan spoke first, "When I first came to Central State, it was Elder Qin who guided me. My achievements today are inseparable from Elder Qin's help."

"I wouldn't dare. The Saint is a person of great Luck. He turns misfortune into good fortune and overcomes difficulties. I dare not take credit," Qin Manyang quickly declined.

Xu Sanyan shook his head and didn't continue talking with her. "We'll catch up later, Zhu'er, arrange a seat for Elder Qin."

"Yes, Master."

Qin Manyang sat at the end of the Elders' seats, her heart still restless.

Looking back at the arena, the top four had been decided. The next round would be held after an hour of rest.

The winners were beaming, unable to suppress their excitement, because even if they lost the next match, they would still be able to join the Saint's sect and receive his protection. In the Demonic Sect, nothing was more important than this.

In contrast, the losers were all dejected. The four of them still had one last chance to determine who would take fifth place, which would also allow them to join the Saint's sect. They were currently competing on another arena.

Joining Xu Sanyan's sect was not about becoming his Disciple, but rather like an employee, simply having the right to follow his orders.

In other words, they were striving to earn the qualification to work for Xu Sanyan like oxen and horses.

But even being an ox or a horse was an opportunity many sought but could not obtain.

In a blink of an eye, an hour passed. This time, Lin Fan faced a woman with her long hair tied high, a slender figure, wearing a light green robe, and holding a large spear, truly heroic and spirited.

Xu Sanyan looked at her a couple more times. He liked this style very much, so he turned to Xiang Tan and said, "This woman is good."

Xiang Tan understood, "Yes."

Just one sentence changed that woman's fate.

As expected, Lin Fan won easily. The other group had a small power gap and fought very intensely. After a hundred moves, one person finally won with difficulty.

Another hour later, the two stood on the arena. This was the final battle, and the winner would become the champion of the first Outer Sect Grand Competition!

As soon as the battle began, after only a dozen moves, Lin Fan defeated his opponent with overwhelming advantage, kicking him off the arena.

At this point, the first Outer Sect Grand Competition was completely over!

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin…"

Lin Fan's acquaintances came forward to congratulate him. Whether it was sincere or not, the result remained unchanged. Everyone knew that he was now like a Dragon entering the sea, and from then on, he would be completely different.

Lin Fan looked invigorated, suppressing the excitement in his Heart-Nature as he exchanged pleasantries with everyone.

After they quieted down slightly, Xu Sanyan finally stood up, "It doesn't matter if you failed this time. There will be another session in three years. During this period, all Disciples should Cultivate diligently and strive to win the championship in three years. The top five can come find me later."

"Thank you, Saint!"

Everyone was encouraged by his words and resolved to make their mark in three years.

Xu Sanyan smiled slightly and said slowly, "Five days from now, the Inner Sect Disciple Grand Competition will be held. All Disciples in the Foundation Establishment Realm can participate, and the top five can join my sect for Cultivation."

"Inner Sect Disciple Grand Competition?" An old man was stunned upon hearing this.

"Do we also have a chance to join the Saint's sect?"

"Five days! I need to intensify my Cultivation. I feel that a Breakthrough to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment is just a few days away. I'll strive to Breakthrough before the Grand Competition."

There was a buzz of discussion below the stage, and Xu Sanyan turned and left.

"Farewell, Saint!"

This time, the shouts were even more enthusiastic and impactful than before. Qin Manyang stood by, dumbfounded, not understanding what had happened.

Why had Xu Sanyan's prestige become so high in such a short time?

She had been on Red Dragon Mountain for a hundred years and had never seen such a scene.

Liu Tang saw her expression and shook his head slightly, thinking, I said she's only a hundred years old, but even I, who have lived for over four hundred years, haven't seen such a sight.

As Xu Sanyan left, the crowd gradually dispersed.

He actually didn't place much importance on the Inner Sect Disciple Grand Competition, because most of the remaining Inner Sect Disciples on Red Dragon Mountain were old, weak, and sick.

And some Disciples with excellent talent had all been lost deep within Wanmo Mountain a few days ago, such as Luo Yu, Zhou Longsheng, Chi Yu, and others.

The remaining ones were all those who were not qualified to participate in the Saint Child Competition, meaning they were over seventy years old and had weaker potential.

Moreover, having been in the Demonic Sect for a long time, they had been tainted by its great dye vat, and their Heart-Nature had long been demonized, so they might not remember his kindness.

But Outer Sect Disciples were different. They had not been in the sect for long, and most of their Heart-Nature was relatively simple. They had also suffered a period of training and abuse, and were full of indignation.

At this moment, Xu Sanyan gave them hope, like a ray of sunlight piercing through the darkness and shining into their hearts, making them feel grateful.

But it didn't take much effort, so he just held it. It could be seen as a lively event, and it was also good to dispel the oppressive atmosphere on the mountain.

As soon as Xu Sanyan returned to his Immortal Cave, Qin Manyang followed closely, bowing in salute, "Greetings, Saint."

Xu Sanyan waved his hand towards Xiang Tan and the others, signaling them to withdraw. He slowly stood up and came to Qin Manyang's side, not speaking, just circling her twice, then stopping behind her.

"Hiss… exhale…"

He wrapped one arm around her waist, gently pulling her close, and brought his nose to her cheek, taking a deep breath. Waves of fragrance rushed into his nostrils, and Xu Sanyan's face showed a dazed expression.

Qin Manyang's body visibly trembled, but she dared not move.

"Elder Qin, how long has it been since we last met?"

Xu Sanyan brought his lips close to Qin Manyang's ear. As he spoke, wisps of Qi flowed into her ear canal, making her itch unbearably.

"Over… over a year," Qin Manyang's body was tense, and her clasped hands remained unlowered.

"It's been over a year…"

Xu Sanyan tightened his arm slightly, pulling her closer to him, "Do you know how I've been doing this past year?"

Qin Manyang pursed her lips, unsure how to answer.

Xu Sanyan continued to himself, "If it weren't for you killing someone in Yue Family City back then, causing me to be hunted down, how would I have fallen into Da Gu Mountain?"

The trip to Da Gu Mountain was arguably Xu Sanyan's closest encounter with death. If he hadn't had his cheat to protect his Heart-Nature, he would have surely died, and the culprit behind all of this was the woman in his arms.

Qin Manyang explained in a low voice, "I didn't expect…"

"No!"

Xu Sanyan interrupted loudly. With one arm around her waist, he used his other hand to pinch her neck from behind, then extended his red tongue and gently kissed her slender, fair neck, narrowing his eyes as he whispered,

"You didn't not expect it, you just didn't care. Even if I died, what impact would it have on you, right?"