Chapter 149 Fame

Inside the Scripture Pavilion, the concept of time became blurred. When Xiao Ming slowly opened his eyes and withdrew from that state of near-greedy absorption and comprehension, the skylight filtering through the window frames had already taken on a faint crimson hue, signaling the approach of dusk.

He let out a long, deep breath, his respiration steady and concentrated. The faint ripple of spiritual rhythm that had surrounded him due to his high-speed comprehension quietly dissipated. His eyes shone with a brilliant light that quickly settled into a deep, calm gaze.

Glancing to his side, the Jade Slips were stacked as high as a person, neatly categorized. These were the Earth-Grade Cultivation Methods and specialized Jade Slips he had "digested" like a whale swallowing water during the past few hours under the "Super Comprehension" state. Most were miscellaneous studies, peculiar techniques, and unorthodox arts.

"A bountiful harvest." A satisfied curve formed at the corner of Xiao Ming's mouth. The effect of "Super Comprehension (Low-Grade)" far exceeded his expectations. Not only did it drastically increase his comprehension speed, but it also seemed to optimize his thinking patterns, allowing knowledge from different Systems and seemingly unrelated fields to find connections and commonalities faster, enabling him to learn by analogy.

He stood up with a fluid motion and swept his gaze around, keenly noticing several looks nearby that hadn't been withdrawn in time—eyes filled with shock, inquiry, envy, and even a hint of jealousy. Clearly, his "feat" just now had caught the attention of the Core Disciples on the second floor.

Xiao Ming didn't care at all; in fact, he found it somewhat amusing. He picked up the scattered Jade Slips one by one and returned them to their original positions without the slightest error. Having done all this, he brushed off his dustless robes and walked toward the stairs with a composed stride.

Wherever he passed, those Disciples who were watching him—either openly or covertly—unconsciously stepped aside or lowered their gaze, not daring to meet his eyes. (Perhaps this is the Law of respect for the strong.) Xiao Ming didn't release any intimidating Aura, but his steady and profound temperament, as if harboring infinite knowledge, made them feel a sense of awe involuntarily.

Xiao Ming looked straight ahead, a smile on his lips as he went directly downstairs and slowly walked out of the ancient gates of the Scripture Pavilion.

Outside, the setting sun was just right, painting the clouds on the horizon a brilliant crimson. The gray-robed old man was still slowly sweeping the stone steps, the "swish-swish" of the broom against the ground rhythmic and full of meaning.

Xiao Ming didn't stop, but as he passed the old man, he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, showing great respect.

Seeing him come out, the broom in the gray-robed old man's hand seemed to pause for a moment, or perhaps it didn't. He didn't look up, but in that old, flat voice, as if talking to himself, he softly said something completely different from when he had welcomed the guest earlier:

"Young man, don't bite off more than you can chew. Having a high Comprehension Ability is a good thing, but do not stray onto the wrong path."

Xiao Ming's footsteps paused slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. This old man was indeed not simple. His words seemed like a reminder, but they actually pointed out Xiao Ming's near-"predatory" method of comprehension within the pavilion, carrying a hidden warning—fast comprehension is a talent, but cultivation ultimately requires being grounded. Learning so many miscellaneous things might not be a good thing.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior." Xiao Ming turned and bowed to the old man again, his tone sincere. He understood that this was a well-intentioned warning.

Only then did the old man slowly raise his head. His cloudy gaze lingered on Xiao Ming's face for a moment, a look that seemed to penetrate the Physical Body and reach the depths of the Soul. He nodded slightly, said no more, and lowered his head again to continue his seemingly endless sweeping.

Xiao Ming stopped no longer, turning to walk leisurely toward Earth Sword Peak in the afterglow of the setting sun. He knew that after today, the news of "Earth Sword Peak's new Core Disciple Mu Changge reading through dozens of Jade Slips in one day on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion" would likely spread throughout the Sect quickly. But this was exactly what he wanted—using this to display his "talent" would allow him to enter the vision of the Sect's high-level members faster, gaining more resources and opportunities, and also preparing for his future dealings with the Saint. As for the attention, jealousy, and even testing that might follow, he felt he was capable of handling it; besides, he had already maxed out his hatred points with the Saint. Faced with his absolute strength and endless trump cards, a few ripples were merely seasoning for his somewhat mundane cultivation life.

...

Almost immediately after Xiao Ming left the Scripture Pavilion, various versions of the rumors about his "feat" today began to spread like wildfire within the circle of Core Disciples of the Wandao Sword Sect.

"Have you heard? That new guy from Earth Sword Peak, Mu Changge, 'comprehended' no less than thirty Jade Slips in one go on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion today!"

"Yeah, yeah! I saw it with my own eyes. He was sensing three or four Jade Slips at the same time without any hesitation. The Jade Slips piled up like a small mountain beside him! That comprehension speed is simply inhuman!"

"Bragging, right? Earth-Grade Cultivation Methods are obscure and difficult to understand. It takes people like us months of effort to comprehend just one, and he read through dozens in a day? He's probably just skimming them to put on a show!"

"Putting on a show? Why don't you try putting on a show then? Senior Brother Liu and Senior Sister Wang were both on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion at the time. They saw those Jade Slips being triggered; it can't be faked!"

"Does this boy possess some special Physique or secret treasure that enhances his Comprehension Ability?"

"Where did Elder Di Jian find such a monster? It seems this Core Disciple ranking battle is going to be interesting..."

Rumors spread like the wind. Some were shocked, some questioned, some were jealous, and some began to secretly investigate the background of this suddenly emerging "Genius." The name Mu Changge (Xiao Ming) entered the sights of some middle and high-level members of the Wandao Sword Sect for the first time in such a high-profile manner.

Heavenly Sword Peak, the Saint's residence.

Inside the quiet room, Jian Wushuang sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, with sharp, pale-gold Sword Intent slowly circling him like swimming dragons. His eyes were slightly closed, his face as handsome as jade, and his Aura was steady, possessing the otherworldly bearing of a Saint.

Suddenly, slight and hurried footsteps came from outside the quiet room, followed by a voice filled with obvious surprise and panic sounding through the door: "Saint, I have an important matter to report!"

Jian Wushuang's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he slowly withdrew his Sword Intent. A flash of displeasure and gloom from being disturbed flickered in his opened eyes. He hated being interrupted while cultivating. Although he was somewhat unhappy, seeing that the newcomer was his core subordinate Liu Ming, his dissatisfaction quickly faded, and he returned to his usual gentle demeanor: "Come in."

Liu Ming pushed the door open and entered, his face still showing lingering shock. He even forgot to bow and said quickly, "Saint, I just got news that Mu Changge from Earth Sword Peak caused quite a stir on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion today!"

"Oh?" Jian Wushuang's expression remained unchanged as he unconsciously rubbed the jade pendant at his waist. "What kind of stir could he cause? Did he get into a conflict with our people? Well, he should be taught a lesson. Find a reason to have the Law Enforcement Hall take care of it and handle him." His first reaction was that Mu Changge was being arrogant and causing trouble in a quiet place like the Scripture Pavilion. He sneered in his heart, thinking the boy was indeed worthless and that he could use this as a pretext to sweep him aside.

However, Liu Ming's next words caused the gentle smile on Jian Wushuang's face to suddenly freeze.

"No, it wasn't a conflict!" Liu Ming took a deep breath and said very quickly, "It's... it's him! On the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion, in just one afternoon, it's said... it's said he comprehended no less than thirty Jade Slips for Earth-Grade Cultivation Methods and secret techniques! Moreover, he could sense multiple slips simultaneously. His comprehension speed is unheard of! This matter has exploded in the Core Disciple circle. Several Junior Brothers and Sisters who were present at the Scripture Pavilion can testify to it!"

"What?" Jian Wushuang suddenly stood up from the prayer mat, his jade-like face almost losing its composure. His eyes were filled with disbelief and gloom: "One day? No less than thirty Earth-Grade Jade Slips? Sensing them simultaneously? Liu Ming, do you know what you're saying?"

What kind of existence are Earth-Grade Cultivation Methods? For ordinary Genius Cultivators, studying one to the entry level takes several days, and mastering it takes years. Thirty in one day? And simultaneously? Do you think this is child's play? This is simply a fantasy! If he didn't know that Liu Ming was usually steady and would never dare to joke about such an absurd matter, Jian Wushuang would have almost thought he was talking nonsense.

"It's absolutely true, Saint!" Liu Ming nodded heavily, his face also carrying a sense of daze. "The news came directly from the Scripture Pavilion. It's said that many Core Disciples were present, and this matter has also alerted many people. Even that gray-robed Senior who guards the pavilion seems to have looked upon this boy with new eyes."

The gray-robed Senior! Jian Wushuang's heart jolted. That seemingly ordinary old man held a transcendent position in the Sect. He himself had only been given four words of guidance after occasionally going to the Scripture Pavilion to comprehend a high-grade Earth Rank sword technique Jade Slip. It was said that even the Sect Elders treated this person with great respect, so his cultivation must be unfathomably deep. To be able to get "a few extra looks" from him, the truth of this matter was now beyond doubt.

A surge of indescribable frustration mixed with cold jealousy suddenly rose in Jian Wushuang's chest! As the Saint of the Wandao Sword Sect, he considered himself exceptionally talented, with few rivals among the younger generation. He was currently complacent, planning how to deal with Mu Changge and take Mu Wanning and Yun Qingyao. But in the blink of an eye, this "Mu Family waste," whom he hadn't really taken seriously and only saw as a stumbling block to be kicked aside at any time, had slapped him hard in the face in such an inconceivable way!

Comprehending dozens of Earth-Grade Jade Slips in one day? What kind of terrifying comprehension is this? If the rumors are true, this boy's talent is simply a Prodigy! Given time, he will surely become a great threat, and even... it might not be impossible for him to threaten the position of Saint!

What made him even more uneasy was that this boy had an ambiguous relationship with Yun Qingyao, and he was the younger brother of Mu Wanning, whom he had his eyes on, living together day and night... Thinking of Mu Wanning's peerless beauty and unique temperament, and then thinking of her living in the same courtyard as Mu Changge—although they were siblings and it seemed unlikely—Jian Wushuang felt a surge of evil fire rush to his head. The frustration from being rebuffed by Mu Wanning just now, intertwined with his current jealousy and alarm, made his handsome face slightly distorted.

"Good! Well played, Mu Changge!" Jian Wushuang squeezed the words through his teeth, his eyes terrifyingly sinister. Previously, he only saw Mu Changge as a playboy who relied on his Family, perhaps had some small cleverness, and was lucky enough to receive some favor from Yun Qingyao, someone who could be destroyed at will. Now it seemed this boy was a hidden flood dragon! Not only was his talent shocking, but his scheming was likely also extremely deep, as he had been hiding himself all along!

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"I must get rid of him as soon as possible!" This thought had never been as clear and intense as it was at this moment. It was not just out of possessiveness over Yun Qingyao, nor just to obtain Mu Wanning, but even more so to eradicate a potential major enemy who might threaten his status in the future!

Jian Wushuang forced himself to calm down and sat back on the cushion, but his hands inside his sleeves were already clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He looked at Liu Ming, his voice returning to a calm state, yet it carried a chill: "Regarding Mu Wanning... has there been anything unusual since she returned today?"

Liu Ming quickly replied: "According to reports from below, Fairy Mu has remained behind closed doors since returning and has not made any unusual moves. It seems she really does not intend to interfere in Mu Changge's affairs. However..." He hesitated for a moment, "Saint, now that Mu Changge has revealed such talent, Earth Sword Peak and even the Sect will likely pay even more attention to him. Should our previous plan..."

"The plan remains the same!" Jian Wushuang interrupted him decisively, cold light flashing in his eyes, "Precisely because he is beginning to stand out, we must strangle him as early as possible while his wings are not yet fully formed! No matter how high his talent, a dead Genius is nothing at all!" He paused, his tone grim, "Keep watching Mu Wanning. Since she agreed not to interfere, that is fine. At a critical moment, she can provide us with Mu Changge's movements."

He had already made up his mind. Mu Changge must die, and he must die "reasonably" without causing too much of a stir. Even if there were any flaws or oversights, as long as the dirty water was not splashed onto himself, it would be fine. He secretly made a decision: Mu Wanning... this beautiful jade, he wanted to obtain her! Not only did he want to possess her, but he also wanted to use this to control the Mu Family, which seemed to have ties to the Upper Realm.

"Yes!" Liu Ming felt the cold killing intent radiating from the Saint, his heart trembled, and he bowed to receive the order.

Jian Wushuang waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw. The door closed again, isolating the inside from the outside. Jian Wushuang sat alone in the dim quiet room, the gentle mask on his face completely stripped away, leaving only cold calculation and ferocity.

"Mu Changge... you have hidden yourself quite deeply." He muttered to himself, a sharp Sword Qi flickering at his fingertips, cutting through the air with a faint hissing sound, "Unfortunately, you should not have provoked me, and you should not have touched the woman I have my eyes on... In this world, you possess things you are not worthy of. A Genius? Heh, I have seen too many geniuses die young."

Earth Sword Peak, the quiet courtyard where Mu Wanning resided. Twilight gathered, and Mu Wanning sat alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, with a pot of Spirit Tea that had long gone cold in front of her, but she had no heart to drink it. It had been a while since she returned from Jian Wushuang's place, but her mind remained in turmoil.

The insincere conversation with Jian Wushuang weighed on her heart like a stone. That man appeared elegant and refined, but in reality, his gaze was uncomfortable, and the deal he proposed made her feel as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat. Although she believed she had handled it properly and left room for maneuver, it was ultimately like dealing with a tiger for its hide, and she felt uneasy.

What made her even more agitated was that the scene from the morning that made her blush, as well as Mu Changge's face with that wicked smile, kept uncontrollably surfacing in her mind. She shook her head, trying to dispel these distracting thoughts, but with little effect. Moreover, that bastard brother of hers had been out for so long without returning, and she did not know where he had run off to.

Just then, the voices of a few passing Inner Sect Disciples faintly drifted into her ears with the wind: "...Is it true or false? That newcomer Mu Changge, in the second level of the Scripture Pavilion, comprehended dozens of Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques in one day?" "Absolutely true! My cousin is a Core Disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, and he was at the scene and saw it with his own eyes! That scene, tsk, it was simply divine!" "I heard even that old Senior guarding the pavilion was alarmed!" "What old Senior? Isn't that just an old man without any cultivation?" "Incredible, Earth Sword Peak has probably struck gold this time! With such Comprehension Ability, his future is limitless..."

The conversation faded away, but the information in their words exploded in Mu Wanning's ears like a thunderclap!

She stood up abruptly from the stone bench, her pale golden beautiful eyes filled with unbelievable shock! "In one day... comprehended dozens of Earth-Grade Jade Slips? This... how is this possible?" She muttered to herself, her heart beating faster uncontrollably.

She believed she understood the talent of her brother Mu Changge (Xiao Ming). Although she felt he had changed greatly and was unfathomable recently, she never imagined it would be exaggerated to this extent! This could no longer be described as a "Genius," he was simply a monster! Since the founding of the Wandao Sword Sect a thousand years ago, such a figure had likely never appeared!

After the shock, a strong sense of absurdity and vigilance surged into her heart. The absurdity lay in the fact that she had just been weighing whether to tacitly approve or even indirectly assist Jian Wushuang in dealing with this bastard brother, only to learn in the blink of an eye that he was a peerless Prodigy who appeared once in a millennium? The contrast was too great, making it difficult for her to accept, and it further proved that Mu Changge, he had problems.

The sense of crisis was even stronger. With such talent exposed, Mu Changge would surely become a target for everyone! When a tree stands above the forest, the wind will surely destroy it. There would be no shortage of those who envied and were jealous, those who intended to win him over, and those who secretly feared him within the Sect! And Jian Wushuang... given his Heart-Nature, after learning about this, he would only be more determined to eradicate Mu Changge, and his methods would only be more covert and ruthless!

Thinking of Jian Wushuang's seemingly gentle but actually cold gaze, Mu Wanning could not help but feel a wave of disgust. She was now caught in the middle, truly in a dilemma.

"That bastard... bastard!" Mu Wanning gritted her silver teeth and cursed in a low voice, not knowing whether she was cursing Xiao Ming for causing such a disturbance, or cursing herself for her softness in the morning and her subsequent misjudgment.

She sat back on the stone bench, forcing herself to analyze calmly. With Mu Changge (Xiao Ming) displaying such talent, the higher-ups of the Sect would certainly not sit idly by; they would inevitably take action, either by observing or by focusing on cultivating him. This might temporarily form a layer of protection. But as for Jian Wushuang, he would certainly not let it go and would only accelerate his pace of action.

What should she do? Immediately fall out with Jian Wushuang? Warn Mu Changge to be vigilant? Not to mention whether he would believe it, why should she care about that bastard who always angered and bullied her?

The shameful scene from the morning surfaced in her mind again, along with the domineering yet slightly rogue appearance Xiao Ming usually displayed. Mu Wanning's cheeks warmed slightly, and her annoyance grew, but this time, mixed in with the annoyance was a faint, almost imperceptible trace of worry that even she herself had not realized.

"No, I cannot let him be schemed against by Jian Wushuang just like that!" This thought jumped out exceptionally clearly. If he is to be killed, it must be by my hand; I still want to see him eating humble pie and begging for mercy with my own eyes! Right... it must never be done by someone else.

However, what should she do? Mu Wanning fell into unprecedented entanglement and hesitation. She suddenly discovered that her perception of that "brother" had undergone earth-shaking changes in just one day. From disgust, humiliation, and suspicion, to the unspeakable shame and a trace of something strange in the morning, and now to the shock, absurdity, vigilance, and sense of crisis after learning of his shocking talent, as well as a... strange feeling that even she herself was unwilling to admit.

The night grew thicker, and the evening breeze with a chill brushed through the courtyard, blowing her hair and sleeves. Mu Wanning sat alone in the deepening twilight, her figure appearing somewhat thin and helpless. She needed time to sort through these chaotic thoughts, and she also needed... more information about that "brother."

When Xiao Ming returned to his own courtyard on Earth Sword Peak, night had fallen, and the stars were just beginning to appear. The courtyard was quiet, Mu Wanning's door was tightly closed, and a faint light shone from behind the window lattice, indicating that the owner had not yet rested.

Xiao Ming did not pay it any mind; his gains today were huge, and he was in a quite pleasant mood. Returning to his room, he sat cross-legged on the couch. He did not immediately begin to Cultivate, nor did he go to familiarize himself with the many newly acquired Cultivation Techniques and secret skills, but instead, with a thought, he summoned the System panel once again.

As for Jian Wushuang's side, there would definitely not be no movement. After today, he was likely upgraded from a "slightly annoying stepping stone" in the other's eyes to a "potential threat that needs to be eradicated as soon as possible." The urgent priority was to find some items or means to deal with trouble, especially to deal with that deep-minded Saint.

Xiao Ming's gaze directly swept over the vast array of dazzling exchange items and landed on the [Special Items] and [One-time Consumables/Props] category areas. Improving his cultivation was certainly important, but there were more cost-effective choices at the moment (harvesting the Child of Fortune could grant villain points, so why not do it).

His fingertips slid across the light screen, and the introductions of various items quickly came into view... These props each had their own wonderful uses, but they were either expensive, had too many restrictions, or did not fit well with the plan faintly taking shape in Xiao Ming's heart. He needed something that would not require him to directly clash with the Saint, yet would allow him to plot against people from behind the scenes.

His gaze finally stopped on an option lower down the list, one with an ancient icon and a simple name that faintly exuded an extraordinary fluctuation. The required villain points were as high as 9000 points, and it was a one-time use, which was almost the sum total he had only just approached after completing the "Sleeping in the Same Bed" task and adding his previous balance.

Xiao Ming's fingertips hovered over the option for a moment, his eyes deep and calm, showing no ripples. He did not hesitate for too long, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a subtle arc, carrying a cold calculation. "This is it."

Xiao Ming had already made his plan, so he was no longer wishy-washy. In the darkness, no one saw the smile at the corner of his mouth deepen slightly (perhaps he was thinking of the scene or picture when using the prop). He muttered with a sense of composure, as if everything was ready and he was just waiting for the east wind, along with a hint of cold expectation: "Jian Wushuang... I hope you do not disappoint me." The barely audible self-talk drifted in the air, carrying a faint mockery.

The night deepened, and Xiao Ming maintained this relaxed posture, seemingly fast asleep. But his perception was like the most precise radar, covering the entire courtyard, sensing every rustle of the wind, while simultaneously repeatedly practicing the Cultivation Techniques he had just mastered in his mind. A silent storm was quietly brewing under the night of the Wandao Sword Sect. And the center of the storm was exceptionally calm at this moment, even carrying a hint of lazy expectation.