"Th-This... How is that possible..."
Yun Yilan felt the aura radiating from Lu Jiuyuan, and his eyes flew wide open in disbelief. His fingers trembled as he pointed at him, his voice turning into a stammer:
"You... You've actually reached the Taiqing Realm!!!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, the eyes of everyone from the Qingyun Sect present widened. They were all utterly shocked, and their gazes filled with admiration and awe fell upon Lu Jiuyuan.
The Qingyun Sect leaders Tian Buyi and Zeng Shuchang were both amazed by Lu Jiuyuan's talent and potential. They couldn't help admiring their junior sister Shuiyue's keen eye, too!
They had to remember that a long time ago, they had found it utterly incomprehensible that their junior sister Shuiyue had taken Lu Jiuyuan as her male disciple!
They simply couldn't see anything exceptional about him!
Apart from his good looks, they really... couldn't see anything else that stood out!
Now, watching Xiaozhu Peak's disciples become more astonishing than the last, Tian Buyi and Zeng Shuchang couldn't help thinking of the disciples under their own tutelage. They shook their heads and sighed. If only our disciples were this impressive!
Daoxuan Zhenren was equally astonished. He had never imagined that Lu Jiuyuan would reach the Taiqing Realm at such a young age. Such a terrifying cultivation talent had already far surpassed that of every founding master in the Qingyun Sect's history!
Give him a little more time, and perhaps he would reach the legendary realm and become the most powerful being in the world!
Watching the imposing figure on the field, Daoxuan Zhenren sighed inwardly. Perhaps a new era is about to dawn for the Qingyun Sect!!!
Shuiyue was also filled with astonishment, but she quickly calmed down. Even so, her fondness for Lu Jiuyuan deepened, and she became more and more convinced that he and Lu Xueqi were made for each other!
Wen Min, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, was also deeply shaken. Her eyes were filled with admiration and affection as she looked at Lu Jiuyuan!
Hearing those words, Li Xun, his face pale, felt utterly humiliated and furious. He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, and a venomous glint flashed in his eyes as he thought bitterly:
Why? Why is he so powerful?
Why does he get to win Lu Xueqi's favor?
I hate this! I can't accept it! Why is fate so unfair?!
Held in Lu Jiuyuan's arms, Lu Xueqi heard those words and was filled with admiration and joy. She had never imagined that her senior brother's strength would have improved so much in the short time since they had last met!
No wonder he was so confident and dared to challenge Fenxiang Valley!
Still, she would have to work harder, too. She couldn't hold her senior brother back!
Lu Jiuyuan felt Lu Xueqi stir in his arms. The soft sensation and faint fragrance made his heart flutter, and he couldn't help swallowing as he tightened his arm around her slightly.
Feeling Lu Jiuyuan's arm move, Lu Xueqi blushed. Her cherry-red lips let out a soft, involuntary moan.
Looking at the grim faces of the people from Fenxiang Valley, a playful glint flashed in Lu Jiuyuan's deep eyes, and he gave them a wicked smile:
"Weren't you going to teach me a lesson? I'm standing right here. Don't tell me all you can do is talk and not act. That would be so boring!"
At those words, the people from Fenxiang Valley looked even more miserable. They were furious and helpless over Lu Jiuyuan's behavior. You're already this strong. If we go up against you now, wouldn't we just be humiliating ourselves and asking for a beating?
Hearing this, Yun Yilan coughed, his face turning slightly ashen. He clenched his fists out of sight, and a flash of resentment crossed his eyes, which brimmed with anger. How did the Qingyun Sect get so lucky? How did they end up with a genius like him!
Then he forcibly suppressed his anger, put on a kind smile, and said cheerfully:
"Haha, Young Friend Lu, you've misunderstood. I was only joking just now. Don't take it seriously!
"To think that you've reached such a level of cultivation at such a young age. The younger generation is truly formidable!
"The Qingyun Sect is blessed to have a disciple like you!"
As he spoke, Yun Yilan looked at Daoxuan Zhenren with a faint smile and continued, "Brother Daoxuan, your sect is producing one outstanding talent after another. What a cause for celebration!
"And your disciples Lu Jiuyuan and Lu Xueqi are truly a match made in heaven. What I brought up earlier was only a joke. Let's pretend it never happened!
"Besides, now that your sect has produced a prodigy like Lu Jiuyuan, there's no need to worry about the matter in the Southern Border. I'm sure it'll be resolved soon!"
Daoxuan Zhenren hadn't expected Yun Yilan to be so shameless and two-faced. But he was, after all, the sect master of the Qingyun Sect. If he argued with him, he would risk losing the dignity expected of the leader of the righteous path.
He could only reluctantly accept the out Yun Yilan had offered. Stroking his beard, he smiled, gave a soft "Mm," and nodded in agreement. "Brother Yun is absolutely right!"
Hearing this, Li Xun's face filled with resentment. His reddened eyes turned hatefully toward Lu Jiuyuan's figure, and he swore inwardly, Lu Jiuyuan, one day I'll crush you beneath my feet and avenge today's humiliation!
Lu Jiuyuan paid no attention to Li Xun, that clown. His cold gaze settled on Yun Yilan. He had already anticipated how things would unfold.
But there was no way he'd let him off so easily. How could he pass up the chance to squeeze a hefty sum out of him?
With an impassive expression, Lu Jiuyuan said coolly, "Sect Master Yun, even if it was only a joke, this incident has caused great harm to my fragile heart. Unless you compensate me for my emotional distress, this matter isn't over!"
Yun Yilan frowned slightly at Lu Jiuyuan's shameless demand. He was displeased, but given that he was on someone else's turf and his opponent was a powerful Taiqing Realm cultivator, he couldn't afford to lose his temper. He could only suppress his anger and ask with a smile:
"This was my fault. I didn't think it through. Since Young Friend Lu has made this request, I'll certainly compensate you!"
Even Shuiyue couldn't help rolling her eyes at his words, cursing inwardly, That old fox! He's the height of hypocrisy, making himself out to be the victim!
If her own cultivation weren't too weak, she would have struck him down herself to avenge her disciple!
Looking at Lu Jiuyuan's icy expression, Yun Yilan knew that if he didn't show some sincerity, Lu Jiuyuan wouldn't let him go!
With a pained expression, he took out a storage pouch. It had originally been meant for his disciple Li Xun, but now he had no choice but to part with it. He announced loudly, "There are ten high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills inside..."
With that, Yun Yilan tossed the storage pouch over.
Watching what had once belonged to him fall into the hands of the man who had stolen the woman he loved, Li Xun was overcome by humiliation and anguish!
Lu Jiuyuan checked the contents of the storage pouch. They were as Yun Yilan had said, but they still weren't enough.
Fenxiang Valley had plenty more than this. Today, he was going to squeeze them for all they were worth!
Before you continue