Trump Card

Watching the people from Three Mountains City walk away, Lin Zhengren still hadn't said anything when his younger brother, Lin Zhengli, grumbled indignantly, "Mountain Barbarian is so rude!"

Lin Zhengren was leading the team from Wangjiang City this time, while Lin Zhengli represented the first-year students of Wangjiang City Daoist Academy in the competition.

At the sound of his brother's voice, Lin Zhengren merely smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The cultivators from Wangjiang City seated around the table all wore pearls and jade. Every one of them came from a wealthy, influential family in Wangjiang City, so it was hardly surprising that they had picked up a few spoiled young masters' habits. Even on Maple Forest City's turf, they said whatever they pleased and cursed whoever they wanted.

"When the Dao Discussion begins, we have to teach them a lesson!"

"The people from Maple Forest City aren't much better. I said I wanted to visit Three-Part Fragrance Pavilion, but they ignored me! Stingy to the extreme!"

"Hahaha, they're poor. Just look at the courtyard they put us up in. Is that any place for people to live? They haven't even laid down a heated floor! And the bedding is just ordinary silk floss!"

"Alas, what can you do with these shabby, impoverished nobodies? I've already sent the servants out to buy what we need. Let's just make do for a couple of days."

As they went on cursing, someone suddenly asked, "Where's Fu Baosong? He didn't come again?"

"Why do you care?" Lin Zhengli scoffed. "I don't know how the dean let him in. He's sour and smelly."

Lin Zhengren gently set his wine cup down on the table, and Lin Zhengli immediately fell silent.

Lin Zhengren raised his chopsticks. "Let's eat."

The atmosphere quickly grew lively again.

At Jiang Wang's insistence, Jiang An'an returned the box of treasures she'd earned from her classmates and promised she wouldn't help them cheat on their exams anymore. From now on, she'd study hard and do well on her own, earning good grades and bringing honor to the old Jiang family.

The condition was that she got an extra serving of pastries from Guixiang Studio after dinner every day.

Wasn't he worried she'd lose her teeth?

While Ling He and the others were entertaining their friends from Three Mountains City, who had come from afar, Jiang Wang finished his cultivation for the day and went to Mingde Hall to pick up his younger sister.

He had to admit, with the help of the Origin Control Technique, his control over Dao Essence was improving at a remarkable pace. The most obvious sign was that he could now lay out the array points with ease every time. He hadn't made a mistake in ages.

On top of that, the Four Spirits Body Refining Technique had strengthened his body, greatly increasing how often he could practice Pulse-Opening. If he hadn't been holding back, he might already have succeeded in establishing his foundation. Even without pushing his body to its limits, he was now close to Foundation Establishment.

After picking up Jiang An'an, he was just about to take her out for a good meal when a girl with her hair tied up in countless little braids suddenly jumped in front of him.

She pointed at Jiang Wang, exceedingly rude. "You're the one who won't let An'an play with me?"

Jiang Wang recognized her. She was the little hellion he'd seen the other day at Mingde Hall with the old teacher—a young girl who looked like she'd been spoiled rotten.

The little pearls, jade beads, and emerald beads hanging from her braids alone were enough to show how wealthy she was.

Jiang Wang couldn't be bothered to argue with a child. "Little friend, I only told An'an not to cheat with you. I didn't tell her not to play with you."

The braided girl snorted. "Then why did you make her return all those treasures? They were proof of our friendship!"

"Friendship can't be proved with money." Jiang Wang had little patience for other people's children. He gave her a casual lecture, then said, "All right, I'm taking An'an home."

"No! You can't leave until you explain yourself!" The braided girl spread her arms and blocked their way.

Jiang Wang had no choice but to use his trump card. "I'll tell your teacher, you know."

"You dare?" The braided girl angrily rolled up her sleeves. "Believe it or not, I'll beat you up!"

Before Jiang Wang could respond, Jiang An'an spoke up. "Qingzhi, if you hit my brother, I really won't play with you anymore!"

"Oh, don't. Then I won't hit him." The little girl named Qingzhi hurriedly rolled her sleeves back down.

Jiang Wang listened in silence from the side. Can you even beat me? You little brat!

"I'll say it one more time, little friend. As long as you don't do bad things together, like cheating or skipping school, I won't mind An'an playing with you. Understand? If you do, then wait here for your family to pick you up. An'an and I are going to have water-boiled meatball soup!"

Jiang An'an had still wanted to chat with her friend, but the moment she heard they were going for soup, she lost all interest. She waved repeatedly. "Goodbye, Qingzhi! See you tomorrow!"

The braided girl waved too as she stepped out of the way. Jiang Wang picked Jiang An'an up and strode off.

Watching Jiang Wang's briskly departing figure, she snorted again and muttered, "What's so great about him?"

The cultivators from Three Mountains City finally arrived at the small courtyard Maple Forest City Daoist Academy had prepared for them.

As soon as the door closed, the black-clad man whom the people of Maple Forest City considered a hidden Great Devil King plopped down on the ground, his voice filled with heartrending anguish. "Can you let go of me now? We're already in Maple Forest City. Where could I even run?"

He'd tried more than a hundred ways to escape back to Three Mountains City along the way, but every time, they'd caught him and brought him back. Nearing Maple Forest City, they'd even surrounded him and escorted him into the city.

The cultivators from Three Mountains City all looked a little awkward at his words. Some stared at the sky, some at the ground, and two examined each other's fingers. Not one of them budged.

The real Great Devil King hopped and skipped around the rooms. After checking all six, she hopped back into the courtyard. She pointed to the room at the far western end. Silver chains encircled both her wrists, each ending in a little silver hammer that swung back and forth with her movements.

"All right, you can go pick your rooms! That one's mine."

Only then did everyone scatter in a rush.

"Sun Fatty!" Sun Xiaoman called out to Sun Xiaoyan, who was scrambling to his feet. "You're staying in the room beside mine!"

"No!" Sun Xiaoyan roared, but the moment he met Sun Xiaoman's gaze, his voice immediately dropped. "Can I please not?"

"Nope." Sun Xiaoman blinked.

She had a pair of large, bright eyes. When she blinked, they looked like a stream reflecting the moonlight.

But Sun Xiaoyan just wanted to tremble.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Sun Xiaoman bounced off. The pair of silver hammer ornaments swayed from side to side, occasionally clinking together with a crisp sound. "Fatty, come with your big sister~"

Sun Xiaoyan followed her into the room, reluctant every step of the way. He looked pitiful as he said, "Can you stop calling me Sun Fatty? I have a proper name!"

"All right, Sun Fatty." Sun Xiaoman turned around and waved dismissively. "Come, sit here."

Sun Xiaoyan obediently sat down. His piled-up layers of fat filled the chair completely.

Sun Xiaoman reached out and pulled off his hood, revealing his chubby face.

"Goodness, you're so swollen." When Sun Xiaoman wasn't being fierce, her voice was surprisingly soft and sweet.

Oh my heavens, she's worried about me. Sun Xiaoyan felt a strange warmth in his heart.

But he immediately came to his senses. Bah!

He spat fiercely in his mind.

Sun Xiaoman took out a small jade bottle and pulled out the wooden stopper. A faint fragrance drifted out.

She used her pinky fingernail to scoop out a little translucent ointment, then gently pressed it onto Sun Xiaoyan's face, slowly spreading it with her fingertip.

Sun Xiaoyan didn't dare resist. He sat perfectly still and let her treat him. His face felt cool at first, then soothing. The painful spots seemed to ease in an instant.

"There, all done!" After applying the ointment, Sun Xiaoman patted Sun Xiaoyan's big face. "Keep it on overnight, and the swelling will be gone tomorrow."

The words "Thank you" nearly slipped out of Sun Xiaoyan's mouth on instinct, but he bit them back.

Sun Xiaoman put the little jade bottle away and smiled. "Remember not to be so impulsive again. It'd be such a shame if your face got scarred. You'd bring shame on Three Mountains City."

Who do you think did this to me?!

Sun Xiaoyan was indignant inside, but still managed to force a smile and replied obediently, "All right, Jie Jie."

Thanks to Little Friend Loves Eating Melons for the tip! Also, the Three Cities Dao Discussion is about to begin! The more recommendation votes, the harder they'll fight!