The Sage Master Cracks

Zhang Yang smiled at the Sage Master and said, "Although it was only a brief meeting, the Sage Master's words have greatly changed my opinion of you."

I always thought that the people of Langya Sacred Land were all despicable.

Unexpectedly, the Sage Master remains untainted by the mud, pure and unblemished, truly deserving of the title of Sage Master.

The Sage Master remained silent.

Although Zhang Yang's words were all kind, he felt as if they were stabbing him right in the heart.

Moreover, this kid actually managed to utter such a profound saying as "emerging from the mud unsullied, washed by clear ripples without becoming seductive"... How come this kid isn't from the Langya Sacred Land?

"Senior Sage Master, I was deeply moved by what you just said." Zhang Yang looked genuinely touched. "The Sage Master has always been concerned about the safety of our Azure Cloud Sect. I am truly moved!"

For the past few hundred years, our Azure Cloud Sect has been like an orphan, constantly bullied.

Today, we have finally found an elder who cares about us.

"Thank you so much, Sage Master!"

The Sage Master was completely bewildered. Hadn't he just been manipulating the Azure Cloud Sect?

However, those words sounded like genuine concern for the Azure Cloud Sect...

With a stern face, he said helplessly, "No need to be polite!"

"It is only right that we express our gratitude for the Sage Master's kindness," Zhang Yang said solemnly. "Not to mention me, a junior, even my master, judging by age, could address you as a Sage Master!"

Even though the Sage Master was quite composed, a spark of anger still ignited within him.

What does that mean?

Does this mean he's nothing but old age?

"School Leader Azure Cloud Master and I are both at the Tribulation Realm, so we should treat each other as equals," the Sage Master said helplessly.

He had a bad feeling because Zhang Yang, acting as an elder, had put him on a pedestal.

If he doesn't quickly find a way to back down, he'll be put on a pedestal and won't be able to save face.

So he quickly tried to save face.

"Huh?" Zhang Yang's eyes widened as he looked at the Sage Master and said, "You and my master are of the same generation, so does that mean I have to call you Sage Master Uncle? Sage Master Uncle, I wish you a long and healthy life. Junior Zhang Yang pays his respects to you here!"

The Sage Master was stunned.

How the hell did he become the Sage Master Uncle?

And judging from the way that kid bowed and stretched out his hands... he's asking for a gift, right?

Or is extending both hands actually a form of etiquette?

The Sage Master was utterly bewildered. He was thousands of years old and had never encountered such a scene before!

Seeing Zhang Yang bending over and reaching out without getting up, he realized that Zhang Yang was asking for a gift. Feeling a pang of heartache, he took out a Spirit Artifact paintbrush and floated it toward Zhang Yang's hand.

He was too ashamed to show off anything too bad, but the better ones... the Spirit Artifact he treasured on his person, how could they be bad?

The Sage Master was heartbroken; he hadn't even gotten the benefits yet, and he'd already lost a top-tier Spirit Artifact paintbrush...

Zhang Yang took the magic brush, straightened up instantly, put the brush away, and thanked him again, "Thank you very much, Sage Master Uncle!"

The Sage Master had to force a smile, "You're welcome, you're very polite!"

If it weren't for the fact that those words sounded like they were coming out through clenched teeth, they would have sounded more like a compliment.

Zhang Yang seemed oblivious to the Sage Master's meaning. He turned to Azure Cloud Master and said solemnly, "Master, I now understand what the Sage Master means. Let our Azure Cloud Sect form an alliance with the Langya Sacred Land!"

Azure Cloud Master looked at the Sage Master strangely. Was he really here to form an alliance?

The Sage Master nearly jumped up. Where had they even begun? How could they have formed an alliance?

He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I never said I wanted to form an alliance!"

Zhang Yang asked in surprise, "Uncle Sage Master, from the moment we met, you have been worried about our Azure Cloud Sect, and you have even analyzed the current situation for our Azure Cloud Sect, showing us a great deal of concern."

After much thought, I realized that the Azure Cloud Sect could not possibly refuse your kindness, so forming an alliance was the only option!

The Sage Master said angrily, "But I never said anything about forming an alliance!"

Although he had this intention, he hadn't yet seen the attitude of the Azure Cloud Sect!

Isn't this still under discussion and negotiation?

Seeing the Sage Master's loss of composure, Azure Cloud Master felt a sense of satisfaction.

It turns out that he wasn't the only one whose defenses were breached; even someone like the Sage Master, who had cultivated his inner strength for thousands of years, couldn't withstand it.

"Could it be that I've misunderstood?" Zhang Yang looked bewildered, glancing at Azure Cloud Master and then at the Sage Master.

"You've definitely misunderstood!" the Sage Master hurriedly emphasized.

Azure Cloud Master coughed twice but didn't say anything.

After Zhang Yang's unreasonable and nonsensical argument, he roughly understood the Sage Master's intentions.

This kind of thing can be left to his apprentice to handle.

Seeing the bewildered look on Zhang Yang's face, the Sage Master wondered if there was something wrong with his expression.

He had a headache; how could the Azure Cloud Sect have produced such a person?

Even scheming has become difficult!

While the Sage Master was pondering, Zhang Yang suddenly asked, "Sage Master Uncle, what are your conditions for forming an alliance?"

"Conditions..." The Sage Master, befitting a great cultivator, instantly realized something was amiss and said sternly, "What conditions? What conditions are there? I never mentioned an alliance from beginning to end!"

"Sage Master, don't be angry. It's rare for you and Master to meet. Let's discuss things calmly and not get so worked up." Zhang Yang advised kindly. "Even if we don't form an alliance, we can still sit down, have some tea, and chat."

Speaking of which, I've prepared chairs and tea for you. Why don't you sit down and rest for a bit?

With a wave of his hand, a table and two armchairs were placed on the ground.

Then, several cups of spiritual tea were placed on the table.

"Master, Sage Master Uncle, please have a seat!" Zhang Yang greeted.

Azure Cloud Master looked at the Sage Master: "Sage Master, please!"

As the Sage Master looked at the chair, he couldn't help but think of his son's ordeal at the Azure Cloud Sect, and he instantly felt that the chair was covered with sharp knives.

If he sits down, that kid will probably have his picture taken, right?

However, as a dignified cultivator at the Tribulation Realm, this was no challenge for him.

As he sat down, his Daoist magic spontaneously arose, and his entire being became blurred.

In any case, he would absolutely not leave any images behind.

To his relief, Zhang Yang didn't take out anything to film.

Zhang Yang sneered inwardly. "I've already schemed so badly against your son, why would I use this trick against you?"

He was accompanied by two Demon Lords who stood to the side, watching Azure Cloud Master and the Sage Master talk. Every now and then, he would interrupt the Sage Master's conversation.

In short, he wanted to make the Sage Master uncomfortable and prevent him from having a pleasant conversation.

Azure Cloud Master, on the other hand, engaged in normal conversation.

In fact, this was also his first formal exchange with the Tribulation Realm from other sects, and he had some questions to discuss.

The Sage Master's guard was entirely focused on Zhang Yang, but he had no guard against Azure Cloud Master.

However, the Sage Master forgot one thing from beginning to end.

Once he meets Azure Cloud Master, once he speaks... how others interpret those words is their own business, isn't it?

Zhang Yang is very good at this!

In his mind, he was already drafting an exclusive interview with the Sage Master!

Cultivation Resources do not appear out of thin air, nor do they disappear out of thin air. How they appear and how they disappear are worth exploring in depth.

--<Resource Theory> by Zhang Changshan