This man... where did his hostility come from?
Jiang Yi was slightly taken aback, the corner of his eye twitching.
He had dealt with those Qi Refining Clans in Crimson Flame Peak's outer sect, but had never encountered anyone with such a disposition.
On second thought, Qi Refining Clans were as numerous as hairs on an ox, so it was only natural that their descendants varied in quality.
"I have only just reached the middle of the fourth level. I merely have a little confidence in attempting the fifth-level barrier."
Jiang Yi lowered his eyes as he answered, his manner humble and courteous, leaving nothing to fault.
"Hmph, you must have eaten plenty of Essence-Nourishing Pills, then?"
An unmistakable flash of jealousy crossed Lu Xuan's eyes as he continued:
"If you ask me, relying on an Immortal Dao ritual to break through a realm doesn't count as ability!"
Jiang Yi's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was puzzled:
You're a direct descendant of a local clan, raised in silks and fine food, never short of cultivation resources. Why are you getting jealous of me? I haven't even started resenting you for being rich.
Old Master Lu looked embarrassed. Though he did not fear offending Yang Xun, Lu Xuan was a direct descendant of the Dongping Lu Clan. It would hardly do for outsiders to consider him boorish and ill-mannered, lacking in family upbringing.
Yang Xun was about to soothe Jiang Yi and ask him to swallow this slight for now, only to hear him laugh gently:
"You make a fair point, Young Master Lu. I am an insignificant blade of grass. Only because Grandpa regarded me favorably and was willing to nurture me did I manage to climb to the fourth level by sheer luck.
"It is precisely because my