The outcome of this match had been beyond most people's expectations.
No one had expected that Lin Langtian, the renowned number-one genius of the Lin Clan, would end up drawing with an obscure young man.
Judging by Lin Langtian's expression, it seemed he might even have come off worse.
And indeed, he had. His greatest advantage, Master Mu, had been turned into pure energy and divided among Cang Wu and the others.
As for Lin Dong, with this energy, he was on the verge of becoming a Spirit Talisman Master, while Little Marten could recover a good deal of his strength.
Cang Wu had gained the most. After all, Master Mu had been a divine soul. Even though it hadn't been at full strength, its energy was still substantial enough to help Cang Wu recover further.
However, this match had also made Wang Yan and Qin Shi wary.
Earlier, they had both thought that with the treasures in their hands or the demonic beasts beneath them, they might be able to contend with Lin Langtian, who was at the Qi Creation Realm.
But judging by the strength Lin Langtian had just displayed, neither of them stood a chance against him.
Forget Lin Langtian—even Lin Dong made Qin Shi wary. The boy's fighting strength was abnormal, and with a demonic beast just as abnormal, Qin Shi and his Wind Luan Bird might not gain any advantage even if they joined forces.
As for Wang Yan, he didn't take Lin Dong seriously. He was just a lowly branch-family brat who'd been utterly helpless against Lin Langtian.
The only man Wang Yan considered worthy of his attention, besides Lin Langtian, was the one standing beside Ling Qingzhu.
Wang Yan glanced at Cang Wu with a hint of jealousy, then spoke.
"Now that this match is over, why don't we join forces and break the seal?"
Cang Wu caught Wang Yan's look and turned to Ling Qingzhu with a teasing smile.
"Looks like I really shouldn't have stood up here. Not only did I fail to make friends with you, I've even made myself a rival in love."
"Oh? Does Qingzhu even qualify to be your friend, sir?"
Ling Qingzhu chuckled, giving Cang Wu a rare eye roll as she teased him.
If the disciples of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace saw this, their jaws would hit the floor. When had they ever seen their Young Palace Mistress, who was like a celestial maiden from the heavens, show such a girlish side?
In the eyes of the world, Ling Qingzhu had always been a cool, otherworldly immortal, untouched by worldly concerns. She would never act so coy and girlish.
"With a beauty as breathtaking as you, everyone in the world would be eager to be your friend. Who could possibly turn you down?"
Cang Wu raised an eyebrow. After popping the last fruit into his mouth and swallowing it, he spoke softly. He sounded a little flirtatious, but not to the point of impropriety—just carefree and irreverent.
Lin Dong and Little Marten were both dumbfounded. Little Marten, who had only just reached adulthood, was especially full of admiration.
It hadn't been long, yet Senior had already charmed this peerless beauty, who looked like a celestial maiden.
Lin Dong and Little Marten didn't know that Cang Wu had grown far more mature since back then. In those days, he'd truly earned his reputation as the greatest playboy around.
Cang Wu might have seemed a little like a senior in front of Lin Dong and Little Marten, but that was only because he had to maintain some dignity in front of the younger generation.
In truth, anyone who knew Cang Wu well knew that he was unpretentious, easygoing, and free-spirited.
If someone caught his fancy, no matter how weak they were, he could chat and boast with them like an old friend. But if someone rubbed him the wrong way, even looking at them once more felt like a nuisance.
Otherwise, Cang Wu could never have had friends all over the world—and so many confidantes, either.
Of course, that was also why Ice Master had once turned him down gently. It hadn't been a complete rejection, but it had still been Cang Wu's first failure.
"So, in your eyes, Qingzhu only qualifies to be your friend because of her looks?"
Ling Qingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of irritation flashed through her heart.
The next moment, when she came to her senses, another strange feeling arose within her. She had never before met a man who could render her Supreme Induction Art ineffective.
Yet under Ling Qingzhu's gaze, Cang Wu nodded without hesitation and smiled.
"A beauty's charm lies in her looks, her bearing, and her heart. There are probably very few women in this world as beautiful as you."
Ling Qingzhu had still looked a little angry, but after hearing Cang Wu's words, a faint blush rose beneath her veil.
The two stood atop the Ancient Azure Sky Lotus, chatting as if no one else existed. Wang Yan and Lin Langtian looked furious, their fists clenched tight.
But when they remembered the methods Cang Wu had displayed earlier, Wang Yan and Lin Langtian seemed to deflate.
"Come to think of it, Qingzhu still doesn't know your name, sir."
Ling Qingzhu looked at Cang Wu with curiosity. She now seemed completely accustomed to sharing the lotus with him.
She was genuinely curious about Cang Wu. What kind of force could have nurtured such an outstanding genius?
"My name is Cang Wu. Cang Wu, as in Cang Wu Mountain. You probably haven't heard of it."
Cang Wu smiled. Apart from his master and Eldest Senior Sister, almost no one knew his name.
Even fewer people knew of Cang Wu Mountain. It was the peak where the Devouring Divine Hall had stood long ago, though no one had ever known the mountain's name.
Ling Qingzhu furrowed her brows slightly. This was the first time she had heard the surname Cang. She had never heard of any family with that surname in the Eastern Xuan Region, nor of any sect with a disciple named Cang.
Suppressing her many questions, Ling Qingzhu looked at the man before her and spoke softly.
"So you're Young Master Cang Wu. Would you be willing to break this seal?"
"Since you've asked me yourself, it would be hard to refuse. But are you planning to compete with me for the treasures inside this tomb?"
Cang Wu chuckled and stared straight into Ling Qingzhu's eyes.
He stared until Ling Qingzhu's face flushed and she turned away. Only then did Cang Wu speak softly.
"Let the treasures go to whoever is fated to have them. In that case, you and I can compete fairly. But I'd like to make a wager with you. Will you take me up on it?"
"What's the wager, and what's at stake?"
Ling Qingzhu asked without thinking. Cang Wu smiled and replied,
"If I win, you'll call me Senior Brother."
"And if you lose?"
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