Defending Shortcomings

Lu Wangchuan's heart leaped wildly at these words!

He never expected Xi Feng to actually be a demon god who had dueled the human race's last Great Emperor!

Didn't that mean his tomb held the absolute top-tier martial arts inheritance?

After all, he was a being who had competed for the imperial throne alongside the last Great Emperor!

Shouldn't his martial arts inheritance also hold the hope of breaking through to become a Great Emperor?

In the Great Wilderness Three Thousand Regions, with three thousand provinces per region, this vast human world had only birthed ten Great Emperors up to the present day; one could well imagine just how powerful and terrifying a Great Emperor was.

And with this map in his own hands, didn't that mean he was the most likely to inherit his legacy in the future?

"Still, you needn't dwell on it too much. Figures of that legendary caliber will never have any intersection with the likes of you and me in this lifetime."

Cheng Yunxiao's words pulled Lu Wangchuan back to reality, and Lu Wangchuan nodded.

As he was now, he truly had no way to obtain that inheritance; with insufficient cultivation, going in was simply courting death.

Furthermore, absolutely no one must know about this map before then; otherwise, he would definitely die without a burial site.

Even the various powerhouses of the Divine Water Sect would not be immune to temptation.

"Very well, this old man is going to begin the lecture, and you should find a spot to listen as well."

"Understood."

Lu Wangchuan acknowledged the order, then found a corner to sit down and listen to the lecture.

Cheng Yunxiao was, after all, a rare expert in the Divine Water Sect, and his lecturing was indeed of a high caliber; Lu Wangchuan listened very intently.

An expert's experience in cultivation and combat was forged by banging their own head against walls, accumulated through countless hardships and setbacks. It was by no means something that could be simply summarized in a few words.

Many people had come to listen to the lecture when suddenly, a troop of people marched over from outside.

The disciples all looked over curiously, only to see a group of Divine Water Sect disciples escorting a line of carriages.

"What's going on?"

"Who did they capture in those carriages?"

Cheng Yunxiao glanced over and said with a smile:

"These people are all high-ranking members of the Black Lotus Society. Backed by the Heavenly Martial Sect, they were contending for Da Qian territory in the mortal world.

You must all be very curious as to why we captured them. It is because the Heavenly Martial Sect, in order to suppress the influence of our Divine Water Sect, actually resorted to despicable means by dispatching Black Lotus Society martial artists to intercept and kill disciples wishing to join our Divine Water Sect!

Today, this old man tells all of you here: the majesty of our Divine Water Sect brooks no violation. Those who offend our Divine Water Sect shall be executed no matter how distant!"

The crowd's enthusiasm was ignited, and they raised their voices in shouts.

"Those who offend our Divine Water Sect shall be executed no matter how distant!"

Lu Wangchuan felt a whirlwind of emotions inside. As expected of the Divine Water Sect—even when facing a powerful force like the Heavenly Martial Sect, if they dared to strike at disciples who had yet to join the sect, the Divine Water Sect dared to confront them head-on. Just look at the chaotic times of Da Qian...

Sure enough, if one wanted to establish a foothold in this world and avoid being bullied, one had to increase their own strength.

As he thought this, Cheng Yunxiao spoke again with a smile:

"This time, the reason we were able to discover this matter relies entirely on the efforts of a single disciple. It is none other than Lu Wangchuan, who only entered the sect half a year ago! Wangchuan, you have rendered a great service this time. Go to the Sect Resource Hall later to collect a reward."

Warmth flooded Lu Wangchuan's heart. He had not expected Elder Cheng to take credit on his behalf; the elder could completely have said nothing and kept it for himself, yet he still gave the reward and the reputation to him. Truly, this was rare indeed.

"Thank you, Grandmaster."

Lu Wangchuan rose, bowed in thanks, while the others cast curious glances at him.

"Who is Lu Wangchuan?"

"I've never seen him before."

Cheng Yunxiao spoke once more.

"Lu Wangchuan is the successor of the Limitless Sword Dao, and now under the tutelage of my Law Enforcement Hall as a third-generation core disciple."

Many people with some seniority in the sect immediately understood.

After all, the incident at Still Water Peak had happened less than eleven years ago. To martial artists, eleven years was not a long time, and moreover, that affair back then had caused a massive shock; many people still remembered it vividly.

"He's the disciple of that expelled Lu Xianyuan?"

"Lu the sucker?"

Hearing some unpleasant remarks spreading through the crowd, Lu Wangchuan's gaze inevitably turned cold.

Lu Xianyuan had treated him with utmost care and affection. His aptitude might indeed have been low, but he was still his master; how could he let these people make sport of him in broad daylight?

"Lu Xianyuan is my master. Whoever dares to insult him again, don't blame me for being unpolite!"

Yet this remark was completely disregarded by the crowd, drawing even more derisive jeers instead.

Up on the high platform, Cheng Yunxiao had already emitted a cold snort as a ferocious aura surged outward, suppressing the crowd and making their breathing somewhat difficult.

"Scum! Have you only learned to talk behind people's backs since entering the sect? What are you all chattering about? I'm telling you, Lu Wangchuan is now a third-generation disciple of my Law Enforcement Hall. For any of you to humiliate his master is to pit yourselves against the Law Enforcement Hall.

If anyone else shoots their mouth off indiscriminately, don't blame this old man for showing no mercy!"

His words reduced everyone to a fearful silence. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Cheng Yunxiao was shielding Lu Wangchuan, but what could anyone do about it?

Cheng Yunxiao held a pivotal position in the sect, his strength was among the very best, and he was moreover an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.

He was no soft persimmon!

"Very well, today's lecture ends here, you are all dismissed. Remember from now on, never gossip behind your fellow disciples' backs, or this old man will show no cleaverness!"

Struck with terror and daring not to talk back, the crowd could only disperse disgruntled.

After the crowd left, Cheng Yunxiao finally walked over to Lu Wangchuan and offered words of comfort.

"Wangchuan, do not be afraid. With me here, no one in the Divine Water Sect will dare to bully you."

"Yes, thank you, Grandmaster."

Lu Wangchuan cupped his fists in gratitude, then straightened his posture, neither servile nor overbearing as he spoke:

"I am not afraid of what these people might do to me, but my master bestowed upon me the grace of teachings, and I will never allow anyone to humiliate him! If anyone insults him again, I might not be able to suppress my anger."

"Good! Worthy of being a disciple of my Law Enforcement Hall! You've got backbone!"

Cheng Yunxiao clapped Lu Wangchuan on the shoulder, a deeper trace of admiration filling his eyes.

Today Lu Wangchuan could stand up for Lu Xianyuan, and tomorrow he could stand up for himself. In this fickle world of human hearts, a child who valued loyalty and affection so deeply was truly rare. He definitely had to groom him properly and prevent him from being buried; otherwise, it would absolute be a loss for the Law Enforcement Hall and a loss for his own lineage!

"Good child, if anyone ever speaks insolently again and humiliates your master, don't hesitate—you can directly step up and teach them a lesson. When necessary, making an example by killing one or two junior disciples to establish your authority is fine as well. If you aren't tough enough, the bullying will only increase. As long as you aren't the one picking fights first, this old man will bear the consequences for everything!"

"Thank you, Grandmaster."

Lu Wangchuan bowed in thanks once more. Having an elder who protected his own like Cheng Yunxiao was, he had to admit, a piece of good fortune for him.

"Go on, head to the Resource Hall to collect your reward and cultivate diligently. Bring honor to your master, and let those who look down on you know that the Law Enforcement Hall lineage is not just a bunch of freeloaders."

"This disciple will keep Grandmaster's teachings firmly in mind!"

Thanks to book friend Network Fearless for the tip, immensely grateful.