Throughout the journey, Lin Ruochu didn't say another word. Yang Zhen could tell that this aloof young lady was preoccupied with something, seemingly not about him, but not entirely unrelated either. If it were unrelated to him, Lin Ruochu could have simply handed him over to Dong Ci.
"Kid, are we really going to go back with this woman?"
The Shameless Cat whispered in Yang Zhen's ear, so loudly that Yang Zhen almost threw the bastard away.
Yang Zhen glared at the Shameless Cat, then replied telepathically, "Of course we're going back. We're new here, so we must keep a low profile. You know I'm the most low-key Sage of Saunter."
The Shameless Cat chuckled and said, "I see, I see. You're always very low-key before you cause trouble. Even I, the Sage of Saunter, can't agree on that. I admire you the most!"
Yang Zhen curled her lip and ignored the jerk.
The place where Lin Ruochu was located was a temporary palace, not Spirit Treasure, but a solid structure built of mountain stones.
Although it wasn't Spirit Treasure, this makeshift palace still genuinely surprised Yang Zhen.
The rocks were cut very neatly, and densely engraved with layers of heaven and earth patterns. There were dozens of types of Essence-Gathering Array alone. In particular, on the main hall, there was an array that Yang Zhen had never seen before. Seeing this, Yang Zhen was so excited that he couldn't move on.
Lin Ruochu clearly sensed Yang Zhen's aura fluctuations. She turned to look at Yang Zhen and after a long while, she spoke, "Are you curious about the palace's formation?"
Yang Zhen nodded and said, "The person who inscribed this formation is a master."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a hearty laugh rang out, "To receive praise from a young friend, this old geezer of mine is finally of some use after all."
An elderly man with white hair and beard walked out, followed by three young men. They appeared arrogant and their aura was as deep as the sea. When they saw Yang Zhen, they immediately cast a scrutinizing glance at him.
Yang Zhen was very uncomfortable with this kind of gaze, but... would a lion care about the gaze of an ant?
The brat immediately glared back.
Other lions don't care, but this bastard Yang Zhen does!
Seeing Yang Zhen's sharp and confrontational scrutiny, everyone present was stunned. The old man burst into laughter and said, " Ruochu, where did you find such an interesting young friend?"
Lin Ruochu hurriedly stepped forward and said, " Elder Guo, I met him on the road. He said he knows some secrets about Chen Xiaotian, and that the rare treasure of the Savage Wilderness will be born in three days."
"What?"
The elderly man, addressed as Elder Guo, looked surprised and walked to Yang Zhen's side, asking, "What is this young friend's esteemed name?"
Lin Ruochu, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, as if she had just remembered that she did not know Yang Zhen's name until now.
Yang Zhen didn't care at all, grinning with an innocent smile; he was the most respectful of the elderly and kind to the young.
"Senior, my name is Yang Tianxiu!"
" Yang Tianxiu?" Elder Guo was taken aback, then burst into laughter, patted Yang Zhen on the shoulder, and said, "What a fine name! Such a young Saint Realm cultivator, which sect do you belong to?"
Yang Zhen smiled, shook his head, and said, "I'm from no sect or school; I'm just a Rogue Cultivator."
"Oh?" Elder Guo was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected Yang Zhen to be a Rogue Cultivator.
Lin Ruochu, who was standing to the side, was also taken aback.
For Rogue Cultivator to reach the Saint Realm, and at such a young Saint Realm, is truly remarkable.
Given such talent, the fact that no sect is vying for him means that Yang Tianxiu simply doesn't care about any sect.
He's a ruthless person!
Lin Ruochu scrutinized Yang Zhen for the first time, and it seemed... he was indeed much more handsome than Dong Ci.
Yang Zhen winked at Lin Ruochu.
Lin Ruochu immediately looked away, but the cold expression on her face was no longer as sharp.
Elder Guo nodded and said, "A Rogue Cultivator, actually a Rogue Cultivator, that's truly remarkable. Ruochu said you predicted that the day the supreme treasure of the Savage Wilderness would be born in three days, is that true?"
Yang Zhen grinned and said, "I swear on my own name that if I am lying in the slightest, I will suffer Heavenly Punishment."
The Shameless Cat's mouth twitched as it perched on Yang Zhen's shoulder.
Upon hearing about the Heavenly Punishment, everyone present tensed up, and even Lin Ruochu turned her gaze back to Yang Zhen.
After pondering for a moment, Elder Guo said, "In that case, we should start preparing earlier. Ruochu, how are your preparations for this competition going?"
Lin Ruochu's face showed a serious expression as she said, " Elder Guo, our preparations... are somewhat inadequate. We're still short one person if we want to secure a spot at the summit of Mount Xiyuan."
"Wouldn't Fang Huai work?" Elder Guo asked hesitantly.
Upon hearing Fang Huai's name, the three young men beside Elder Guo all showed resentment and turned their gazes to Lin Ruochu.
Lin Ruochu shook her head and said, "Although Fang Huai is at the Saint Venerable Realm, he is not suitable for direct combat; he is still somewhat lacking."
Upon hearing this, Elder Guo nodded, and the three young men beside him immediately breathed a sigh of relief, showing a sense of eagerness to try.
At this moment, Elder Guo suddenly turned to Yang Zhen and said, "Where did you hear this news, young friend?"
Yang Zhen glanced at everyone's expressions and said casually, " Chen Xiaotian told me himself."
What?
Upon hearing Chen Xiaotian's name, everyone present gasped.
" Chen Xiaotian is the Devil Venerable Lord, and his strength is unfathomable. How could young friend Yang have personally met him?" Elder Guo looked hesitant as he scrutinized Yang Zhen, seemingly trying to see through Yang Zhen's true intentions and determine whether Yang Zhen was lying.
Yang Zhen grinned, looking like a friendly older brother next door, and said, "Yeah, I fought this bald guy for three days and three nights, and neither of us could gain the upper hand. Then he told me that something big would happen in the Western Region in half a month, and told me to come here to find him, saying he wanted to have another match with me!"
Upon hearing this, the people in the hall almost burst out laughing.
Elder Guo wore a wry smile on his face and said, "I just said that Chen Xiaotian's strength is unfathomable, and young friend Yang said he would fight him for three hundred rounds. So it seems you want this opportunity to compete for the Mount Xiyuan?"
What opportunity?
Yang Zhen was taken aback. He didn't want any special opportunity; he just wanted to have a meal with the young lady, even if it wasn't noodles, steamed buns would be fine too.
Elder Guo was also taken aback, clearly not expecting Yang Zhen to say such a thing.
Lin Ruochu breathed a sigh of relief, and the anger on her face lessened slightly.
Before anyone could speak, a young man standing next to Elder Guo suddenly stepped forward and said, "This is ridiculous! Putting aside who Yang Tianxiu is, his unbridled and nonsensical talk alone is enough to make us suspicious. He fought Chen Xiaotian for three days and three nights, so why don't you say you could kill Chen Xiaotian?"
Yang Zhen said seriously, "If Chen Xiaotian really offends me badly, I'll consider your suggestion."
"You..." The young man's face showed a hint of anger, and he was about to speak when he was stopped by Elder Guo.
"Alright, whether this matter is true or false, there's no need to delve too deeply into it. Now that we know the Savage Wilderness Treasure might appear in three days, we must prepare as soon as possible."
At this point, Elder Guo hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lin Ruochu and said, "Ruochu, Ruochu it really doesn't work out, I'll go with you to participate in this competition."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked and looked at Elder Guo with horror.
"This... I'm afraid that won't work!" Lin Ruochu said expressionlessly.
"What, do you think I'm too old to walk anymore?" Elder Guo's face showed a hint of anger.
Lin Ruochu nodded and said, " Elder Guo is not suited for direct combat."
Yang Zhen asked with a curious look, "Why fight head-on?"
"Because our opponent is a body-refining cultivator!" Lin Ruochu said calmly, " Saint Venerable Realm!"