Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Too Deep in the Act

In front of strangers, Chu Xuan didn’t want to show any signs of weakness.

So he held back his urge to cry, simply standing there, quietly listening to the melodious chirping of the lark.

Gu Haitang noticed Chu Xuan’s sadness, was somewhat surprised, and was about to ask him what was wrong?

But the bird’s chirping got closer and closer, eventually circling above their heads.

Chu Xuan stretched out his hand, and a small grayish-brown lark landed in his palm, chirping away, unafraid, occasionally pecking lightly at his palm.

Chu Xuan gently stroked its head, retrieving a small amount of grain from his sleeve to feed it.

This took Gu Haitang by surprise, did he actually carry grain with him?

Moreover, Haitang had raised birds before, and she could tell Chu Xuan wasn’t putting on a show in front of her; his actions were skillful, clearly not his first time.

After the little bird had eaten its fill, it flapped its wings and flew off on its own, its chirps full of cheer.

"Let’s go back." Chu Xuan didn’t say much else, turning around to lead the way.

Gu Haitang also didn’t ask more, just nodding her head.

Meanwhile, she understood why Fuyunzi had said, "All will be clear after meeting him once."

After all, once you’ve spent some time with Chu Xuan, you’d quickly know what kind of person he is, and those unfounded rumors would only serve to highlight his nobility.

Even if, retreating a thousand steps, Chu Xuan was indeed from the Hehuan Sect, he was like a lotus emerging unsullied from the mud, nowhere near as scandalous as Chen Yusheng and the others claimed.

Gu Haitang began to take an interest in this man; she wanted to interact further with Chu Xuan, to understand him more, to know everything about him.

...

In the cool pavilion at the back mountain, the disciples of both sects had already begun to sit down and discuss the Dao, with the atmosphere being relatively harmonious.

The fundamental heart method of the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion is called the "Supreme Jade Emperor Heart Seal Scripture," rumored to be inherited from the Ancient Celestial Emperor’s lineage; though whether it’s true or not is unknown, it surely possesses immense power and is also a cultivation technique that points directly to the Great Dao.

At this moment, disciples from both sides were discussing the strengths of each other’s cultivation techniques, exchanging insights on Sword Dao, or delving into the mysteries of arrays and alchemy...

Some, carried away by enthusiasm, even sparred in person, but most stopped just short.

As Chu Xuan had earlier said, both are orthodox sects here to exchange ideas, not to provoke each other.

This made Ye Xingming somewhat disinterested, as he wasn’t adept with theories, so he merely hugged his sword and dozed off.

Jiang Yiyi, even more so, found sleepiness washing over her, like a koala clutching Xiao Yue and snoring away, saying it was to prevent her from ruining Chu Xuan’s matters.

And you wouldn’t believe it, the little miss Yue’er did have the urge to eavesdrop, but now caught by this shameless master ancestor, couldn’t help but shout in vain.

Over at Purple Heaven, Chen Yusheng remained distracted, occasionally peering toward the forest, having no interest in discussing the Dao with the Daoist Palace disciples.

Thankfully, Chu Xuan and the others hadn’t been gone long.

When the two returned shoulder to shoulder from the forest, whether gathered around tables or sitting on the ground, the young disciples mostly quieted, turning to look.

They saw a man and a woman, the man fresh and handsome, remarkably graceful; the woman poised with an elegant aura, svelte and dignified.

Walking side by side, they really did form an enchanting pair, fitting together seamlessly.

Noticing the crowd’s reaction, Chen Yusheng felt even more aggrieved, forcibly suppressing his negative emotions, he approached with a smile.

"Brother Chu, I’ve been waiting a good while; care to spar with me? It’d be a chance to witness the Cyan Lotus skills."

Just earlier, while chatting with other Dao Palace disciples, Chen Yusheng had learned that Chu Xuan recently took first place in this year’s examination, so he must possess some skill and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Still, Chen Yusheng remained confident; through years of diligent cultivation, he ranked just below Gu Haitang among the younger generation of Purple Heaven.

Though Chu Xuan’s cultivation had been abolished and resumed anew, even progressing swiftly and breaking through annually, how much time could he possibly have spent honing combat skills?

After all, an Innate Dao Body offers no distinct advantages in combat at the initial stages. Winning in front of Haitang would surely deal a blow to the "arrogance" of the other side.

Chu Xuan frowned slightly, likely guessing the other’s thoughts, not wishing to engage in such a meaningless dispute.

Yet as the senior brother, he truly couldn’t refuse lightly; otherwise, it would bring shame to the whole sect.

Before Chu Xuan could speak, Ye Xingming got up, hugging his sword, and faced Chen Yusheng.

This half-grown boy, in a cold tone, said, "I knew this day would come."

"Draw your sword, and today I will let you know that the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace is not without its people!"

The crowd was bewildered by his act; what was he playing at?

Only Chu Xuan wanted to cover his face; little junior brother, how old are you? Can’t you stop being so cheesy...

"Wait, did this fellow Daoist misunderstand something?" Chen Yusheng didn’t really want to fight him, so he patiently explained:

"I never insulted the Dao Palace, did I? Just wanted to spar with Daoist Chu, promise to stop at a mere show of skill."

But Ye Xingming didn’t buy it, just snorting coldly:

"Stop pretending, I know you’re thinking: What trash is this Chu Xuan, a commoner, daring to compete with a noble like me for women? Today, I’ll trample him down, let these worthless commoner brats see the consequence of opposing me!"

These words, once out, made both Dao Palace and Purple Heaven disciples’ expressions subtly change—could he truly be such a person? Who knows, maybe...

"You’re spewing nonsense!" Chen Yusheng was almost bursting with anger at this kid; where did he pick up such over-the-top inner monologues??

Chu Xuan’s mouth twitched; what kind of cliché line was this?

Now he suspected that the story Little Junior had heard from those storytellers might have been crafted by the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable himself?

Ye Xingming continued, hugging his sword, maintaining that "cool, not talking" swordsman look, "Now, you should involuntarily curl your lip, wearing a satisfied and disdainful smile, as if looking down on ants."

"Yet! You can’t even defeat me, a Child of Destiny, what right do you have to challenge my senior brother?"

"Come on, step over my body, and the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace will fight to the end today!"

The Dao Palace disciples, even swept along by Ye Xingming’s passionate speech, were lingering in bewilderment; wasn’t this far from a life-or-death situation??

"You, you..." Usually proud of his composure, Chen Yusheng was so incensed he almost couldn’t speak, finger trembling as it pointed at Ye Xingming.

"Ahem," Chu Xuan finally had enough, stepping in to intervene.

As he noticed Jiang Yiyi had been awakened by the commotion, at that moment she looked at his junior brother with teary eyes, wearing an expression of gratification that said, "Our sect has successors."

If Chu Xuan didn’t step in now, once this woman joined the fray, the situation would truly spiral out of control.