"You're saying that the Venerable you mentioned was the one who brought you here?"
The Thin Elder stared, dumbfounded and full of disbelief.👌💀 🐣👊
He thought the whole thing was absurd.
According to Zhang Feng, Jingyun Sect had been hiding a Foundation Establishment expert all along?
How could that be!
These elders knew Jingyun Sect's situation like the backs of their hands.
If such a powerful figure really sat in their ranks, how could the sect have fallen into such dire straits, nearly dropping out of the ranks of the top ten sects?
Having a Foundation Establishment Venerable was enough to qualify a sect to become a two-star sect.
"Everything I said is true. I haven't exaggerated a single word."
Zhang Feng understood why they were so shocked. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he'd have found it hard to believe, too. "For starters, you must have seen the Heaven-Reaching Road stretching for dozens of miles on the way here. The Venerable forced it open."
"There really was such a road on the way here." The Fat Elder gave a slight nod.
They had seen that for themselves.
But although Zhang Feng's story sounded convincing, it was still far too absurd.
"You two, honestly..."
Seeing that they still didn't believe him, Zhang Feng pointed at them and shook his head helplessly.
These two.
They didn't believe a word he said. They thought he was talking nonsense.
Seeing Zhang Feng's face darken, the Thin Elder stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a cheerful smile,
"Old Zhang, we understand that you like to brag. We've all had our moments."
"But you clearly don't understand Foundation Establishment Venerables well enough. Sure, they're far stronger than us, but they still have their limits. Especially this flying through the air you described... They can do it, but not in the ridiculously exaggerated way you claimed."
"Come on, even when you're bragging, try to make it sound plausible."
"It's not that we don't believe you. It's just that it's too far-fetched..."
Seeing this, the Fat Elder also stepped forward to comfort Zhang Feng. "Haha, all right, Old Zhang. Enough bragging. Why are you taking it so seriously? You claim you know a Foundation Establishment Venerable, and that he's at Beast Taming Mountain. So why haven't we seen him yet?"
"Venerables are elusive. How could people like us possibly guess where they'll show up?"
"Heh."
The Fat Elder chuckled. When he saw Zhang Feng's face flush red, he stopped teasing him and let the matter drop.
Zhang Feng's expression shifted back and forth.
He felt rather aggrieved.
Why did nobody believe him when he was telling the truth?
But these two had decided he was bragging. Even if he showed them the token the Venerable had given him, it wouldn't do much good.
After all, a token wasn't the Venerable himself. There were too many ways to explain it away.
It still wasn't strong evidence.
"Forget it, forget it. If you don't believe me, so be it. I can't be bothered to explain." Zhang Feng flicked his sleeve and gave up. Believe it or not.
"That's more like it."
Seeing that Zhang Feng had finally stopped bragging, the two elders let it go.
They were old friends, all elders of Jingyun Sect, and more or less equals in status. There was no harm in bragging now and then. All they had to do was give him an out.
Just then,
Old Lady Xu asked, "Zhang Feng, you said that Venerable was living in seclusion in Jingyun Sect. Is there any way you could ask him to come out and help us, even just once in a while? If I'm gone, at least Jingyun Sect won't be left without an heir to carry on its legacy."
Hearing this, Zhang Feng gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"You give me too much credit, Grand Elder. The Venerable has lived in seclusion at Jingyun Sect for so many years, never involving himself in worldly affairs. He does as he pleases... A figure like that is hard even to meet, let alone ask to do anything for us."
If Meng Tangtang hadn't gotten into trouble this time,
that Venerable probably wouldn't have stirred at all.
"Ah."
Old Lady Xu's eyes dimmed, and she said no more.
The Thin Elder and the Fat Elder exchanged glances and sighed inwardly. They understood the Supreme Elder's concerns.
Over the years, her hidden injuries had piled up, and her lifespan had been greatly diminished.
Now, she could die at any moment.
As the only Innate expert holding down the fort for Jingyun Sect, how could she not worry about it?
Too bad Old Zhang bragged without thinking, leaving the Supreme Elder disappointed and heartbroken for nothing.
At the thought, the Thin Elder couldn't help glaring at Zhang Feng.
It's all your fault!
Why'd you have to go making things up? Look how upset the Supreme Elder is.
"...?"
Zhang Feng was baffled by the glare. He couldn't make heads or tails of it.
What did I do?
How did I offend you this time?
Why are you always picking on me?
It was bad enough that no one believed him when he told the truth. Now he had to put up with this inexplicable attitude, too. Unbelievable.
"Let's go. We need to find Tangtang and rescue her first." Old Lady Xu sensed no danger and set off ahead of them.
The others followed.
Before leaving, the Fat Elder gave Zhang Feng's shoulder an admiring pat and said with a grin, "Not bad. You've been bragging this whole time and still managed to make it all fit. If I didn't know how much you loved to brag, I'd almost believe some big shot was really backing Jingyun Sect."
Then he walked away without looking back.
Zhang Feng was left standing there, utterly dumbfounded.
"Goddammit..."
At that moment, Liu Yanran caught up from behind and bowed to Zhang Feng.
"Thank you, Elder Zhang Feng, for your noble rescue. I swear I won't tell anyone that you made up the story about the Venerable. I swear it to the heavens, so please don't worry!"
Liu Yanran had heard the conversation between the Jingyun Sect elders.
She was deeply moved.
So there was no Venerable after all.
Elder Zhang Feng had made the whole thing up to save them!
She'd never imagined that Elder Zhang Feng would spin such a colossal lie just to rescue them.
That could offend a Foundation Establishment Venerable!
He'd taken a huge risk!
All to save a few disciples he didn't even know. His character and generosity were truly admirable!
As for the powerful aura that had appeared that time, and the broad road of blood... Liu Yanran naturally chalked them up to coincidence.
Elder Zhang Feng must have happened to witness them.
Then he'd used them as material for his bragging.
After all, she'd heard from the other two Jingyun Sect elders that Elder Zhang Feng from the Logistics Department loved to brag whenever he got the chance!
It must have been the same this time.
And his lie had saved their lives. They could never forget that kindness!
Liu Yanran silently swore to herself.
"Thank you, Elder Zhang Feng, for saving our lives!"
The dozen or so remaining Beast Taming Mountain disciples also bowed solemnly to Zhang Feng and swore that they would never tell anyone. Otherwise, they'd be struck by lightning!
"You..." Zhang Feng felt like crying.
He felt as if the entire world were against him, convinced that he was lying.
It was true that he liked to brag about trivial things now and then, but this was serious! How could he possibly joke about something like this?
Why wouldn't anyone believe him!
"Elder Zhang Feng, I believe everything you said is true!" At that moment, Senior Brother Sun of Beast Taming Mountain suddenly spoke up.
Zhang Feng's spirits lifted!
He was nearly in tears. Someone finally believed him!
"You really believe what I said?"
Sun Li nodded solemnly. "Elder Zhang Feng, I believe you!"
Before Zhang Feng could be moved, Sun Li changed the subject and said earnestly, "After you saved my life, I'd believe anything you said! But... ahem, Elder, next time you brag, you should look up the facts first. That way, you won't get caught out so easily. I know all about this; I can teach you..."
"For instance, that road you mentioned. You're thinking too small. Foundation Establishment Venerables are powerful, sure, but their power is limited. Of course people will be suspicious if you insist that a Foundation Establishment Venerable carved a path through the Mist Forest. Next time, say it was a Golden Core Heavenly Monarch. Now that would sound plausible—much more believable!"
Finally, Sun Li stepped forward, leaned close to Zhang Feng, and whispered with a wink.
Zhang Feng: "..."
I'll believe you when pigs fly!
What a waste of emotion!
Before you continue