Cultivators Are So Weak in This World

Chapter 566: Step 4

Zhang Rongfang was among the crowd below. With just a quick glance, he knew that the Magician Shark Tiger would surely win.

Chang Xueyi was basically not on the same level as him. Both were above the Grandmaster level, possibly even both Grandmasters, but in terms of gaining the upper hand against the enemy, Chang Xueyi was far inferior to Shark Tiger.

However, at this moment, Shark Tiger seemed to be deliberately dragging out the time, not completely overwhelming Chang Xueyi, but instead purposefully leaving many opportunities for him to catch his breath and delay.

During these intentionally extended intervals, the Magician Shark Tiger continuously executed grand and imposing moves, drawing gasps from the surrounding onlookers.

This continued for dozens of breaths.

Clang!

Only a loud noise was heard, and Chang Xueyi spat blood and was sent flying, landing far away among the residential houses.

Shark Tiger did not pursue him; instead, he landed on the wall, turned his head, and glanced at Zhang Rongyu.

"This person has been seriously injured by me. The debt for the favor to your son is thus settled."

"Thank you, senior!" Zhang Rongyu bowed and said respectfully.

The Magician Shark Tiger nodded slightly, abruptly turned around, leaped up, and disappeared into the distant shadows.

Leaving behind only a crowd intimidated by the fierce battle just now.

Those enshrined who were injured before struggled to their feet, dealing with their injuries while looking at Zhang Rongyu with shock and complexity.

Not just them, when the Magician Shark Tiger appeared, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.

Such a terrifying figure was actually hiding within a small place like Mu Chi Manor.

If it wasn’t Chang Xueyi who appeared just now, but people from other forces, they would probably have been decapitated with a single spear.

Those strong enough could already see that Shark Tiger deliberately let Chang Xueyi off the hook.

He didn’t push him to the brink.

Otherwise, when Grandmasters duel, they would have started using their ultimate moves.

And Chang Xueyi, a Confucianism Grandmaster, could activate the Init Resolve and Final Resolve. Although the dual resolves of Confucianism aren’t as powerful and extreme as the Extreme Realm, they’re still quite formidable. They can significantly boost one’s strength in a short time.

However, just now, neither Chang Xueyi nor Magician Shark Tiger was fighting for real.

So....

’A performance? Or deliberately letting him go?’ Dongfang Mu stood on the high terrace of the wine shop, gazing in the direction of Mu Chi Manor, deep in thought.

He was old, his strength had waned, but his insight remained.

Chang Xueyi wasn’t very strong, but dealing with him should still be easy. After all, he was old. Opening a final resolve might just exhaust him to death.

But such a strong person was suddenly blocked by an inexplicably appearing Magician Shark Tiger.

And until now, the Human Immortal Temple hadn’t made a move.

But he knew that the mysterious and sinister master of the Human Immortal Temple was definitely watching this scene as well.

"Truly interesting.... these two.... they really have the same disposition...." He was someone who knew the truth and was aware of the relationship between Zhang Rongfang and Zhang Rongyu.

Comparing the two in his mind, he found it quite amusing.

Both siblings had the same nature, outwardly presenting themselves as harmless, ordinary individuals, but in reality, they held many hidden cards.

This Wushan Prefecture.... it was basically a powder keg; anyone who dared to touch it had to be prepared to be blown to pieces.

"Teacher, it truly is a twist of fate. Who could have thought that Mu Chi Manor could actually have a favor owed by the ninth-ranked on the Red List, the Magician Shark Tiger, and receive assistance?" the disciple behind him couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

"People are just like this. They may appear fragile and delicate, but who would have thought she had such means hidden away?" Dongfang Mu nodded. "However.... having received the ninth-ranked on the Red List’s protection, countless troubles will undoubtedly follow. The favor from Shark Tiger.... isn’t so easy to use...."

The disciple agreed: "Indeed, the Magician Shark Tiger has killed many, holds many grudges, and only because the tracks of the Tiger Mountain group are elusive have they not been found. But now that the incident at Mu Chi Manor has been exposed, it will surely attract the enemies of the Magician Shark Tiger who couldn’t find him. And all of this, Mu Chi Manor must bear alone..."

"That’s why Zhang Rongyu was unwilling to reveal this trump card; unfortunately.... she was forced to use it in the end." Dongfang Mu said.

"Though the sword is sharp, it can easily wound oneself."

*

*

*

Zhang Rongfang did not leave immediately; instead, he stayed in the manor to protect his sister and nephew for a few days.

In these days, the impact brought by the Magician Shark Tiger far exceeded the shock of that night.

His brother-in-law returned home from a business trip, and upon hearing about the incident first thing, his face turned pale with fright.

Fortunately, learning that his wife had actually managed to invite an expert from the Red List to intervene, his mood, like a roller coaster, quickly stabilized.

In the days that followed, he didn’t ask how they managed to persuade such a master, but stayed by his wife and children every day, not daring to leave even a step.

The rest in the manor, except for those who were killed or wounded that night, many began to take the initiative to resign, including several enshrined from before.

After experiencing Chang Xueyi’s sudden attack, they realized that if they stayed in the manor, should they encounter a similar attack by a top-level expert in the future.

They might not be as lucky then.

In the short time following, Mu Chi Manor lost more than half of its personnel.

Those who remained were those who had long benefited from Zhang Rongyu’s kindness and couldn’t bear to leave.

Fortunately, Zhang Rongyu somehow managed to persuade and bring in a new group of people to join Mu Chi Manor, compensating for the previous guards.

Remarkably, the strength of this group was even superior to the previous one.

Leading them was someone Zhang Rongfang had seen before — Li Zhen.

Alongside seeing Li Zhen, Zhang Rongfang also deployed two San Kong Daoists from the Human Immortal Temple to secretly watch over.

Only then did he feel slightly at ease, able to take his leave temporarily.

*

*

*

The wind and snow were swirling, and the vast sea of trees was dyed white.

Chang Xueyi and the Demon Gun Shark Tiger stood together on the treetops, motionless, looking at each other.

Both had unexpectedly chosen this road to leave Wushan.

Ordinary people have their paths, and experts also choose the shortest route. What both men didn’t expect was that they happened to choose the same direction.

"Thank you, Brother Shark Tiger, for your mercy before. This favor is noted by the Solitary Goose Academy," Chang Xueyi said solemnly, cupping his fists.

He understood the restraint the other showed previously, so he spoke with sincerity.

"I just don’t know what ties you have with that Mu Chi Prefecture? Will you... in the future..."

Shark Tiger’s eyes flickered. Although he was a Red List expert, he wasn’t one to easily attract enemies recklessly. He held back before to avoid offending the Academy’s powers.

Being one of the three major academies of the Great Spirit, Solitary Goose Academy was extremely powerful. Many high-ranking officials in the court hailed from the academy, and it had entanglements with the aristocrats among the Spirit People.

This kind of colossus, its hidden power was no weaker than those prominent teachings.

The court’s civil officials mostly came from academies, and military generals predominantly from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion; this was almost a rule throughout the Great Spirit.

Spirit People descendants would find it easy to become officials, but the type of official depended on their performance in the academy. The same applied to the Huxi people and the Northern People.

This indirectly became a channel for the Great Spirit to select civil officials.

"Only that years ago, my son was once saved by Mu Chi Prefecture. I’m merely here to return the favor," Shark Tiger replied.

He wouldn’t reveal that his son once became infatuated with Zhang Rongyu, to the point of distraction, causing him to slack in practice, lose vigilance, and get ambushed by enemies.

It was only then that Zhang Rongyu saved him by accident.

That woman... Even upon hearing that she was married, my son was unwilling to let go. Truly....

Although Shark Tiger knew the ins and outs of it and understood that Zhang Rongyu was a siren, the kindness of saving his son was real.

He was unwilling to return the favor but had no choice. Coupled with Chang Xueyi’s distinguished background, this led to the previous act of deliberately holding back.

The foundation of the Tiger Mountain group was the word righteousness. He had to uphold righteousness, yet he instinctively detested Zhang Rongyu from the bottom of his heart.

"So what? Mr. Chang, are you planning to give up and return?" Shark Tiger chuckled.

Just days ago, they were fierce opponents in battle, yet now they chatted like old friends.

"Relying on myself alone, I might underestimate that Zhang Rongyu. Daring to be a Guardian, I don’t believe she only has a few tricks up her sleeve," Chang Xueyi replied lightly.

"Mr. Chang is indeed cautious. Before I made a move, I also felt a Grandmaster’s presence nearby. Had I acted later, someone else might have intercepted," Shark Tiger nodded.

At that time, he faintly sensed a threatening aura lingering around him. At their level, their senses were extremely sharp, and before acting, their mind was like a mirror, reflecting every detail around them.

"After that night, I investigated Zhang Rongyu further," Chang Xueyi spoke. "On the surface, she appears to be a weak woman, but since joining Yi Vein, she’s leveraged help for many things. Moreover, she has numerous admirers."

"A flower guardian, eh?" Shark Tiger arched his eyebrows. "My son was one of them back then. Moreover... as far as this old man knows, three admirers with deep backgrounds are currently infatuated with her. For someone married to allure so many...."

"So, she has more than one card to play," Chang Xueyi said.

"Indeed... Compared to the Taiqing from the Sensing Sect, this woman should be called a siren," Shark Tiger thought of his son’s current foolish state and felt a headache.

"So, are you planning to give up?" he looked at the other.

"The Jianling is of utmost importance. This must be reported back first and see how the academy decides to handle it. However, I suspect... now that its authenticity is confirmed, they might send another Mountain Chief personally... Or even collaborate with other academies," Chang Xueyi said.

The Great Spirit Academy’s system is led by the Grand Sacrificial Officer, equivalent to the position of Palace Master.

Then divided by mountain gates, each faction led by a Mountain Chief.

And Chang Xueyi was one of the Mountain Chiefs.

"Mr. Chang, aren’t you afraid of what the Great Dao Teaching said before?" Shark Tiger squinted.

"Yue Dewen is currently stretched thin dealing with the continuous provocations from the God Generals and doesn’t have the bandwidth to manage Mountain Province. Are you overestimating his Celestial Treasure Palace?" Chang Xueyi laughed.

He retracted his smile.

"Now, other successors to the Gentleman’s Sword are starting to emerge simultaneously. If we move too slowly, we’ll fall behind others. So...." A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"We must obtain the Jianling. If we can’t get it, destroy it along with its holder. Waiting a few more years to recreate is better than it falling into others’ hands."

"I see, but could you two explain to me what exactly the Jianling is?"

While they were talking, a voice suddenly drifted from a distance.

Both of their faces changed slightly, simultaneously looking towards the right side of the forest sea.

In the white snowy forest, a red shadow appeared swiftly approaching like a flying bird.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, the red shadow crossed hundreds of meters, landing beside them, revealing a man in a red Daoist robe with a pure white mask.

"You two have come a long way as guests, why leave in such a hurry? Wouldn’t that reflect poorly on my hospitality as the Sect Master?"

"How about staying for a chat?"

"!!?"

"!!"

They both had drastic changes in expression.

The Human Immortal Sect Master! How did he find this place!?