Free Web NovelChapter 1669: Chapter 1666: Conflict!
The person questioning Li Chen sternly is Chongxu Taoist’s prized disciple, named Zhenxu.
Despite being under a hundred years old, he has surpassed many old monsters who have cultivated for thousands of years, reaching the Half-step Mahayana Realm.
Moreover, among his peers, his talent is considered outstanding. Even when facing an ordinary cultivator of the Early Mahayana, he is entirely capable of holding his ground.
Having always been the center of attention, possessing an exceptionally prideful nature, he naturally feels resentful at encountering someone even more arrogant than himself, Li Chen.
Li Chen glanced at Zhenxu sideways, and with a cold sneer, said, "It seems this gentleman’s ears aren’t functioning too well!"
Upon hearing Li Chen’s words, Zhenxu, already pent-up with fury, exploded with rage on the spot.
"Damn you, what did you say?"
As he spoke, flames ignited within his pupils, eager to obliterate Li Chen immediately.
Seeing this, Long Ming quickly stepped forward to mediate.
Although Chongxu Taoist was also dissatisfied with Li Chen’s arrogance, he still had to extend some respect to Long Ming.
Immediately, he assumed the demeanor of an enlightened sage, reproachingly saying, "Kid, although your talent is impressive, you must realize that there are always others beyond you. Do not become complacent over small achievements, disregarding others."
"I’ve encountered no less than eight hundred Heavenly Pride more talented than you. None have been as haughty as you!"
Hearing Chongxu Taoist’s reprimand, Li Chen couldn’t help but chuckle.
This old fellow really knows how to embellish his act!
If it weren’t for the imminent opening of the Star Ruins, and Li Chen’s desire to avoid unnecessary trouble, he would definitely show them why the flowers bloomed so bright.
Li Chen snorted twice and dismissed Chongxu Taoist and his group, turning to leave.
Watching Li Chen’s arrogance made Chongxu Taoist tremble with anger.
But he respected his status, unable to act against a junior, spoke to Long Ming with a fake smile:
"Long Ming, Fellow Taoist, this is your well-taught disciple! If not disciplined, he might soon grow conceited beyond the skies. If in the future, he offends a formidable entity, leading your Divine Dragon Sect to catastrophe, don’t blame me for not warning you!"
As Long Ming watched Li Chen’s silhouette, he couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.
Observing the awkward atmosphere, Cang Family Master Cang Wu gently coughed twice, changing the topic.
"Long Ming, Fellow Taoist, why didn’t Brother Heavenly Blade accompany you this time?"
Upon hearing Cang Wu’s inquiries, Chongxu Taoist also found it peculiar.
Previously, Long Ming, Heavenly Blade, and their elders, would come with a group of six or seven.
But today, it’s only Long Ming with an unknown young fellow, quite abnormal indeed.
Upon Cang Wu’s sudden question about Heavenly Blade Ancestor’s whereabouts, Long Ming chuckled bitterly.
Cang Wu, being keen, instantly noted the change in Long Ming’s expression.
After some contemplation, he asked with a hint of doubt, "Long Ming, Taoist Brother, did something happen to Heavenly Blade, Fellow Taoist?"
"Did he get injured?"
Chongxu Taoist chimed in hastily, inquiring.
Outwardly, he feigned great concern.
But inwardly, he was jubilant.
Though the Star Ruins are perilous, the greater danger lies with these adventurers.
In the absence of conflict, everyone can be friends.
Once conflict arises, even family can turn against each other, and brothers can fight bitterly; let alone frail friendships?
Each time the Star Ruins opens, thousands venture inside.
Yet those at their level are merely a handful.
If Heavenly Blade Ancestor is injured and cannot enter the ruins, he naturally becomes one less formidable competitor.
Upon Chongxu Taoist’s eager inquiry, Long Ming sighed inwardly with a bitter smile.
Thinking, not only is he injured, he’s already utterly annihilated!
With that thought, Long Ming subconsciously glanced at Li Chen’s retreating figure.
His pupils unconsciously revealed a hint of apprehension.
Without word from Li Chen, Long Ming dared not reveal the truth, following Chongxu Taoist’s lead:
"Yes, right, he was injured badly!"
Realizing his guess was correct, Chongxu Taoist couldn’t help but feel delighted inside.
But this could only be an inner joy, not showing on his face.
With a pretended concern, he pressed further, "Ah, really? Brother Heavenly Blade’s strength is already at the Mid Mahayana Peak Realm, just a step shy of the late stage. Who possesses such Divine Skills to have injured him?"
Seeing the disingenuous Chongxu Taoist, Long Ming wished to inform him that it was Li Chen who he scolded earlier.
Moreover, it wasn’t merely injury, but a complete annihilation.
Yet, swallowing his words, he awkwardly smiled instead.
"I’m not sure exactly who. If you get the chance, perhaps inquire Heavenly Blade, Fellow Taoist personally someday!"
Saying this, Long Ming revealed a hint of cursing.
But Chongxu Taoist, unaware of Heavenly Blade Ancestor’s fate at Li Chen’s hands, believed he had asked too bluntly, offending Long Ming.
To ease the tense atmosphere, he pivoted the conversation to other matters.
Uninterested, the group briefly exchanged a few words before dispersing.
Chongxu Taoist, still enjoying the news of Heavenly Blade Ancestor’s misfortune, restrained himself with Long Ming present.
Now that Long Ming had left, his joy was no longer repressed.
Cang Wu seemed a bit distracted, occasionally glancing at Long Ming and Li Chen.
After a while, she turned to her disciple, Cang Yue, asking, "Cang Yue, what do you think of that young man named Li Chen?"
Cang Yue, the female disciple, contemplated briefly before giving a concise evaluation.
"Arrogant, yet possesses an unfathomable aura!"
Hearing Cang Yue’s assessment, Zhenxu snorted disdainfully between clenched teeth.
"Haha, what unfathomable, he’s merely pretending!"
Saying this, a chilling glare erupted from his hawk-like eyes, gritting his teeth:
"Let me find him within the Star Ruins, and I’ll surely sever his tongue with my Taixu Sword, to cease his arrogant boasts!"
