Xu Ziyi sneered, “Hah! You only made it to the Upper Two Courts because of your weak martial arts and petty tricks. What, now that you can't stay here yourself, you want to drag Senior Brother Yan down with you?”
“You!” Liu Ziyang was speechless.
Because what Xu Ziyi said first was true, but he really didn't have the latter intention.
“Brother Yan, don't believe her! I really don't have that intention! I... I... I...” Anxious, Liu Ziyang immediately swore an oath, “I can swear to the heavens! If I have such thoughts, may I, Liu Ziyang, die a horrible death!”
Once he finished swearing this solemn oath, it was Xu Ziyi's turn to be at a loss for words.
People of ancient times were quite superstitious about oaths, not to mention this was a high-fantasy world with supernatural powers, where violating an oath would truly bring about consequences.
There had once been someone in Zechuan City who broke their oath and fell into qi deviation that very night, passing away. The incident had spread far and wide, to the point that no one in the Mount Dazhou region dared to casually swear a solemn oath anymore.
Zhuang Xun smiled helplessly, “Brother Liu, there's no need for that. Of course I believe you.”
Xu Ziyi opened her mouth. Feeling like Liu Ziyang's reaction made her look like a malicious instigator trying to drive a wedge between them, she quickly explained:
“Senior Brother Yan, I meant absolutely no harm by what I said just now, nor did I have any intention of driving a wedge between you. It's just... it's just...” She stammered for a long moment, completely stuck on how to explain herself.
Zhuang Xun said gently, “Of course I know Senior Sister Xu spoke out of goodwill and didn't mean anything by it.”
After saying this, Zhuang Xun felt a bit odd himself.
He had never acted like a people-pleasing “central air conditioner” when using Bai Yujing, yet here he was, playing the part while using Yan Pingsheng.
Hearing this, Xu Ziyi breathed a sigh of relief. She thought to herself that Senior Brother Yan was indeed gentle-natured; if not for his average looks, perhaps many women would have fallen for him.
Originally, she had only intentionally befriended him because Yan Pingsheng and Bai Yujing were from the same hometown. Now, however, she genuinely wanted to befriend Yan Pingsheng as a person, without any ulterior motives.
“I am glad you understand, Senior Brother Yan.”
Xu Ziyi explained a few more words before hurriedly taking her leave. Having almost been labeled an instigator just now, she felt too embarrassed to linger.
“Brother Yan...” Liu Ziyang called out, somewhat worried that Yan Pingsheng had only been speaking polite formalities.
Zhuang Xun smiled, “Let's go, Brother Liu, Brother Wang. We still need to find lodging for the two of you. If we delay any longer, it'll be too late.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Liu Ziyang let out a sigh of relief and smiled, “That woman actually dared to question my character. Who in the entire Outer Court doesn't know that I, Liu Ziyang, am the most loyal to my friends...”
Wang Hou followed behind the two, hesitating to speak. He wondered if the Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association was still going to happen, but since neither of them brought it up, he didn't dare to speak.
As for Liu Ziyang, whether for his own pride or his life, he naturally would not bring up the Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association again.
Even if he were to ask Yan Pingsheng for guidance on martial arts now, he would have to hesitate for a moment.
After helping the two find their lodgings, Zhuang Xun went with them to the dining hall to eat.
Liu Ziyang said very generously, “This meal is on me. Brother Yan, Brother Wang, don't argue with me.”
Wang Hou gave him a thumbs-up, “Brother Liu is so generous!”
Zhuang Xun smiled, “Alright, this meal is on Brother Liu then, and the next one will be on me.”
Hearing this, Wang Hou quickly chimed in, “Then the one after that is on me!”
During the meal, they each tried in their own way to draw closer to Yan Pingsheng.
Zhuang Xun could understand their mindset. Arriving in a new environment surrounded by strangers, it was only natural to want to immediately find friends to stick together with.
Zhuang Xun was no exception. After all, humans were social creatures; being alone for too long would stifle a person.
As for his former friends in the Outer Court? Unrelated.
The Inner Court was the Inner Court, and the Outer Court was the Outer Court. Once promoted, they walked entirely different paths.
Haha, just kidding. He wasn't the type of person to forget his roots once he succeeded.
He would still occasionally return to the Outer Court to look around—like a king traveling incognito.
After lunch, Zhuang Xun controlled Yan Pingsheng to return to his new residence to clean up.
As for Bai Yujing, after bringing him to the Formless Courtyard, he handed him over to a deacon and returned to the side cliff.
When the time came, Zhuang Xun, Liu Ziyang, and Wang Hou gathered and headed to the Posuo Hall together.
Inside the grand and ancient Posuo Hall, Xu Ziyi and Chen Qing'er greeted Yan Pingsheng, completely ignoring the other two.
Liu Ziyang snorted coldly at Xu Ziyi and ignored them in turn.
When they arrived, the Posuo Courtyard Head had not yet arrived. The five of them didn't dare to wander around, standing obediently in the hall to wait.
Waiting until the exact time the kind senior brother had mentioned, a figure suddenly emerged from the corridor on the side of the hall, making absolutely no sound throughout the process.
The newcomer's attire was extremely conservative.
They wore a black and white, narrow-sleeved, round-collared robe with tassels hanging from the waist. The hem of the robe bore a yin-yang fish pattern, making them look exceptionally capable.
Their figure was slightly slender, with sharp-cut shoulders and a waist as thin as silk, yet their posture was extremely upright, like an unstoppable sharp sword.
Their face was beautiful, with a spirited look between the brows and a cool, majestic gaze. At first glance, it was hard to tell if they were male or female, but upon closer inspection, they were quite stunning.
This was the Posuo Courtyard Head, the second-strongest expert of the Wanxing Martial Academy, and the youngest Zenith martial artist in the Mount Dazhou region.
—Yi Xiaoxiang.
So that's what she looks like... Unlike the other four who were dazed, Zhuang Xun, who was used to looking at his own handsome face, only thought she looked quite good. If graded by the Character Creation Panel, she would probably score around ninety-seven or ninety-eight.
He used Bai Yujing's brain to memorize the Posuo Courtyard Head's facial features, thinking he could steal some of these excellent details to use on his clones in the future.
“Master Yi,” Zhuang Xun bowed.
The other four snapped out of it and hurriedly bowed as well, “Master Yi.”
Yi Xiaoxiang nodded slightly. Without wasting any words or even introducing themselves, they went straight to the point and began explaining the key training points for the entry-level of the Posuo Sword.
Sigh... what on earth is this gibberish... Zhuang Xun's mouth hung open slightly. After listening for a while, he felt a bit sleepy.
It seemed he had no choice.
Bai Yujing, activate!
...
...
Rate on N.U.
