Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Bullying the Weak

Just a waste of time?

Shen Hao’s brows furrowed; he’d suspected that disciples of the Mountain of Ten Thousand Books were likely arrogant, but he hadn’t expected them to be this audacious.

Nie Yun was reputed to be one of Jingxi Territory’s outstanding genius cultivators, unmatched among the middle generation, yet this woman actually said he was wasting time.

"Fairy, everything has an order of precedence. Mountain of Ten Thousand Books is renowned as a model among myriad cultivators. Surely it wouldn’t do something to disrupt another’s cultivation and comprehension, would it?"

Shen Hao spoke calmly, his cupped fist salute meticulous, but his back was ramrod straight. He stood in the middle of the stone-paved path, refusing to yield an inch.

This scene made onlookers marvel; who would have thought the cultivator with the Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute Named Disciple’s token, even after recognizing Fairy Qing Wan’s identity, would neither cower nor concede—a backbone both proud and unyielding!

Moreover, his words appeared unruffled but carried hidden barbs everywhere; with just a single phrase, he boxed Fairy Qing Wan into a corner, leaving her no way out.

The key was that he looked not yet thirty, his cultivation at Gathering Spirit Realm Fourth Layer—not considered outstanding in the sect, but just about acceptable. What was rare was his composure and adaptability; ordinary cultivators lacked these.

This was facing, plainly and openly, a disciple of a super sect like Mountain of Ten Thousand Books! Not only did he hold his ground, he even retorted.

Since when did Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute’s Named Disciples become this outstanding?

After a brief silence, several elegant cultivators who trailed in the entourage spoke up: "A mere Named Disciple dares speak so to Fairy Qing Wan? Such audacity!"

"Hurry and apologize! If you’ve offended the Fairy, who do you think could protect you?"

"Move aside! Nie Yun has occupied this place for so long, it’s truly improper; the Fairy need not wait for him, surely?"

Their shouts were fierce and loud, but not a single one dared step up to shove Shen Hao. The name of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute wasn’t earned singing opera on stage, and besides, Nie Yun stood right behind; reasoning was fine, but any who dared make a move—outside of a handful of veteran cultivators, the rest together might not be a match for Nie Yun.

Meanwhile, the elderly woman accompanying Fairy Qing Wan raised her head, her murky gaze landing on Shen Hao several times, as if finding him amusing. Yet she remained silent and showed no intention to interfere.

After blustering a few lines, these side characters realized Shen Hao didn’t spare them so much as a glance, simply watching Fairy Qing Wan with an unchanging expression, treating them as nonentities. The contrast between the confidence of a first-class sect and these second and third-tier sects was highlighted to perfection.

Anger simmered inside, yet they truly dared not do anything to Shen Hao.

Before they could speak further, Fairy Qing Wan, who’d been silent for quite a while, suddenly said: "If you can’t comprehend anything, must you stubbornly linger here? As cultivators, do you lack self-awareness?"

At first Shen Hao merely thought this Fairy a bit arrogant, but after her second line, his opinion shifted entirely.

This wasn’t just arrogance—it was downright venomous. There was an overt air of bullying by virtue of status, looking down from on high as if all others were ants.

"Heh, so by the Fairy’s reasoning, when encountering opportunities or treasures, there’s no need for precedence—should one proactively yield them to figures like you in the name of self-awareness, yes?

If anyone feels dissatisfied and wishes to try, they’re unworthy, aren’t they?

So, is it the rule in every sect that any opportunity, benefit, or treasure left by predecessors ought to be yielded out of self-awareness, simply to please you, Fairy?"

As for cultivation and strength, Shen Hao dared not provoke; among those present, even if not everyone surpassed him, at least the vast majority did. But when it came to witticisms laced with barbs, he was confident he could spar with them all.

Now, during the Chang Baifeng celebration, whether from Gui Mountain or Mountain of Ten Thousand Books, everyone was a guest. So long as Chang Baifeng valued his reputation, he wouldn’t favor one side. As long as this Fairy dared nod her head, Shen Hao felt the subsequent conversation would be highly entertaining.

Standing on the ancestral Land of Sword Enlightenment of Chang Baifeng, openly declaring that Chang Baifeng’s descendants weren’t worthy of such a treasure and should yield it—

That was outright slapping the host’s face! It would spread far and wide; by then, Mountain of Ten Thousand Books, already distant and revered in Jingxi, would see its prestige drop several notches instantly.

"In the Cultivation Realm, strength has always been paramount; the weak are naturally..."

"Qing Wan! Speak prudently!"

Shen Hao rejoiced when he heard the Fairy’s first half of her sentence, but before she could finish, the elderly woman at her side interrupted sharply, cutting off the rest.

Though the latter half was stopped, anyone with a brain could infer exactly what Fairy Qing Wan was about to say. Even those who’d been flattering her now wore ugly expressions.

Of course, the most displeased were the high-tier cultivators from Chang Baifeng who had accompanied them over.

"Young man, using veiled words as daggers is not Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute’s usual style, is it? To indulge in malicious, reckless talk without propriety—are you not afraid of inviting disaster?" The old woman pointed directly at Shen Hao’s vicious intent, her expression turning gloomy, staring at him like a savage beast sizing up a mere ant.

Under her gaze, Shen Hao felt discomfort all over, his legs trembling—an invisible force bearing down, compelling him to kneel.

A Fairy looked down, using words to oppress; the elder directly resorted to cultivation pressure. Shen Hao wasn’t surprised, but thought Mountain of Ten Thousand Books was refreshingly genuine—remove the fancy trappings, and it was no different from the worldly habits of mighty noble houses.

Or perhaps, all sects’ nature was thus?

He cast Soul Suppressing Skill on himself, holding out a bit, but the old woman ramped up the pressure again. Instantly, Shen Hao could barely resist—his soul quivered, his Sea of Consciousness battered, his knees buckling, about to kneel. Suddenly, his chest grew hot; a fresh surge of power emanated from the tattoo there, not only steadying his Sea of Consciousness but also warding off that oppression entirely.

"Eh?!"

The old woman voiced surprise; she hadn’t expected a mere Gathering Spirit Realm Fourth Layer junior cultivator to withstand her pressure. Just as she prepared to intensify and gauge his limits, her gaze shifted over Shen Hao’s shoulder—the person who’d been sitting with eyes closed in meditation now opened his eyes.

Nie Yun, disengaged from his comprehension.

"Senior, your cultivation is Profound Sea, while my junior brother is but Gathering Spirit—between them lies a gulf as wide as Heaven and Earth. Of course, he can’t withstand your pressure. Why resort to tyranny, Senior?"

Nie Yun stepped in front of Shen Hao, his expression cold and severe as he stared at the old woman several feet ahead.

"Those who don’t know their place, this old woman merely sought to discipline them. What, Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute has an opinion?"

"So, if I understand, Senior from Mountain of Ten Thousand Books admits to bullying the weak, then?"

"You!"