Old Zhang Just Likes to Brag

"You're saying that the senior Venerable you mentioned is the one who brought you here?"

The thin elder listened in stunned silence, his face full of disbelief.

He found the whole affair too preposterous.

According to Zhang Feng, the Jingyun Sect had actually been hiding a senior expert at the Foundation Establishment stage all this time?

How could that be possible!

The elders knew the situation of the Jingyun Sect like the back of their hands.

If such a formidable existence had truly been presiding over them, how could they have fallen to their current state, even coming close to dropping out of the ranks of the top ten sects?

Possessing a Foundation Establishment Venerable was enough to qualify as a two-star sect.

"Everything I've said is the truth; there isn't a shred of exaggeration."

Zhang Feng understood their shock; if it were him, and he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe as well. "If nothing else, you must have seen that Heaven-Reaching Road that spans dozens of miles on the way here. That was forcibly carved out by the senior Venerable."

"We did indeed see such a road when we arrived," the fat elder nodded slightly.

That much they had seen with their own eyes.

However, even though Zhang Feng spoke with reason and evidence, the matter remained too absurd.

"You two, really..."

Seeing that they still didn't believe him, Zhang Feng pointed a finger at them and shook his head helplessly.

These two fellows.

They completely refused to believe his words, thinking he was spouting nonsense.

Seeing Zhang Feng's face darken, the thin elder stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said with a chuckle.

"Old Zhang, we understand that everyone likes to brag from time to time."

"It's just that you lack some understanding of Foundation Establishment Venerables. While such beings are far more powerful than us, they aren't without limits. Especially that 'walking on air' you mentioned... while it can be done, it certainly isn't as exaggerated as you claim."

"You really should base your tall tales on some semblance of reality."

"It's not that we don't want to believe you, it's just too outrageous..."

Seeing this, the fat elder also stepped forward to comfort Zhang Feng. "Haha, alright Old Zhang, bragging is fine in moderation, why get so serious? If you really know this Foundation Establishment Venerable and claim they are here at Beast Taming Mountain, why haven't we seen them yet?"

"A Venerable's movements are unpredictable; how could we possibly guess them?"

"Heh."

The fat elder smiled. Seeing Zhang Feng's face flush red, he stopped teasing and moved on from the topic.

Zhang Feng's expression shifted uncertainly.

He felt quite aggrieved.

Why did no one believe him when he told the truth?

But since these two had decided he was bragging, even taking out the token the Venerable had bestowed upon him wouldn't be of much use.

After all, a token was just an object; without the Venerable present, there were too many ways to explain it away.

It still wouldn't count as strong evidence.

"Fine, fine, believe what you want. I can't be bothered to explain it to you anymore." Zhang Feng simply flicked his sleeve, deciding to let it go. If they didn't believe him, so be it.

"That's more like it."

Seeing that Zhang Feng had finally stopped bragging, the two elders let the matter drop.

They were old friends, all elders of the Jingyun Sect with similar status; a little bragging was nothing, as long as they were given a way to step down.

However, at this moment.

Old Lady Xu asked, "Zhang Feng, this senior Venerable you speak of, who is living in seclusion within our Jingyun Sect—is there any way to invite him to step out? Even if he only helps us out occasionally... if I were to pass away, at least the Jingyun Sect wouldn't have its heritage completely severed."

Hearing this, Zhang Feng shook his head with a bitter smile.

"You overestimate me, Supreme Elder. The senior has lived in seclusion in the Jingyun Sect for so many years, ignoring worldly affairs, and acts entirely on whim... It's hard enough to even catch a glimpse of such an existence, let alone expect them to do any work for us."

In fact, if it hadn't been for Meng Tangtang's incident, he doubted that senior would have stirred at all.

"Sigh."

Old Lady Xu's eyes dimmed, and she stopped bringing up the subject.

The thin and fat elders exchanged glances and sighed inwardly; they understood the Supreme Elder's concerns.

Years of accumulated hidden injuries had severely damaged her lifespan.

Now, she could pass away at any moment.

As the only Xiantian expert presiding over the Jingyun Sect, she was deeply concerned for its future, so how could she not be anxious?

It was a pity that Old Zhang had bragged without a shred of truth, causing the Supreme Elder needless disappointment and sorrow.

Thinking of this, the thin elder couldn't help but glare at Zhang Feng.

It's all your fault!

Why on earth did you have to go around bragging for no reason? Look at how uncomfortable you've made the Supreme Elder.

"...?"

Zhang Feng was glared at for no reason, completely baffled.

What did I do?

Did I offend you again?

Why are you always targeting me!

It's one thing that nobody believes me when I tell the truth, but now I have to put up with this inexplicable anger? This is just ridiculous.

"Let's go. We need to find Tangtang's location and rescue her first," Old Lady Xu said, sensing no immediate danger as she took the lead.

The others followed suit.

Before leaving, the chubby elder patted Zhang Feng on the shoulder with an expression of admiration and laughed, "Not bad. You bragged for half a day and still managed to pull it off. If I didn't know you liked to brag, I might have actually believed that our Jingyun Sect had a big shot backing us."

With that, he walked away without looking back.

Zhang Feng was left standing there in a daze.

"What the..."

At this moment, Liu Yanran caught up from behind and bowed to Zhang Feng.

"Thank you, Elder Zhang Feng, for your righteous rescue. This disciple will never spread the word about the Venerable you fabricated. I can swear to the heavens; you can rest assured, Elder!"

Liu Yanran had overheard the conversation between the Jingyun Sect elders earlier.

She was deeply moved.

So, there was no such thing as a Venerable after all.

Everything had been a lie concocted by Elder Zhang Feng just to save them!

She hadn't expected Elder Zhang Feng to go to such lengths, telling such a massive lie just to rescue them.

This was something that could offend a Foundation Establishment Venerable!

He had taken a huge risk!

And all for the sake of saving a few disciples he didn't even know. Such character and magnanimity were truly admirable!

As for that powerful aura that had appeared earlier, and that wide, bloody path... Liu Yanran naturally attributed it to a coincidence.

Elder Zhang Feng had simply happened to witness it.

That was why he used it to brag.

After all, she had learned from the other two Jingyun Sect elders that this Elder Zhang Feng from the Logistics Department loved to brag whenever he had nothing better to do!

This time, it must have been the same.

Yet, it had saved their lives, and this debt of gratitude could never be forgotten!

Liu Yanran swore silently in her heart.

"Thank you, Elder Zhang Feng, for saving our lives!"

The remaining dozen or so Beast Taming Mountain disciples also bowed solemnly to Zhang Feng, swearing earnestly that they would never speak of this, or else they would be struck by lightning!

"You guys..." Zhang Feng felt like crying but had no tears.

He felt as if the whole world was targeting him, convinced that he was lying.

While it was true that he liked to brag about trivial matters, this was a serious, legitimate affair!

How could he possibly joke about something like this!?

Why did no one believe him!

"Elder Zhang Feng, I believe everything you said is true!" Senior Brother Sun from Beast Taming Mountain suddenly spoke up.

Zhang Feng's spirits lifted!

He was almost moved to tears; finally, someone believed him!

"You really believe what I said?"

Sun Li nodded solemnly, "Elder Zhang Feng, I believe you!"

Before Zhang Feng could feel touched, Sun Li changed his tone and said seriously, "Just for the sake of your life-saving grace, I'll believe whatever you say! However... ahem, Elder, next time you brag, you should really check your facts first so it's not so easy to debunk. I'm an expert at this; I can teach you..."

"Take that matter of the grand path you mentioned, for example. Your vision is still a bit narrow. Even though a Foundation Establishment Venerable is strong, their power is limited. If you insist on saying a Foundation Establishment Venerable cleared a path through the Mist Forest, of course people will be suspicious. Next time, if you change it to a Golden Core Heavenly Monarch, hey, that's much more plausible! The credibility would increase significantly!"

Finally, Sun Li stepped forward, leaned in close to Zhang Feng's face, and whispered with a wink.

Zhang Feng: "..."

I don't believe a word you say!

What a waste of my emotions!