127: Chapter 127 Divine Turtle Bloodline?
Xu Xing ultimately held back.
It had to be said, he truly possessed the lineage of a Ninja Turtle.
He knew now was not the time to have a falling out with Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao.
After all, Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao's strength was right there; he had a Golden Core Perfection cultivation, and as a Sword Cultivator, his combat power was peerless.
If he truly provoked him, he would definitely take a beating!!!
A madman like Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao didn't know his own strength; if he got beaten up, that would be the real embarrassment.
“Senior Brother Ling, please don't be angry yet.”
Xu Xing forced a sliver of a smile. That smile was uglier than crying, but he had to maintain a surface-level flattery.
“This matter is indeed Chu Feng's conspiracy; he just wants to drive a wedge between us.”
“Think about it, what does Chu Feng fear most right now? He fears us joining forces to deal with him.”
“That's why he intentionally spread rumors, wanting to cause a conflict between you and Zhenbao Peak, to cause internal strife.”
He paused and continued to persuade, keeping his voice as soft as possible to avoid provoking Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao: “If we have internal strife now, wouldn't we be falling right into Chu Feng's trap?”
“Chu Feng must be hiding in the shadows watching the joke! We absolutely cannot let him succeed!”
“Xu Xing, let me tell you, I, Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao, never need to join forces with anyone!”
Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao gave a cold snort, the fury in his eyes diminishing slightly, but his tone remained icy. “You trash only drag me down!”
“If it weren't for the fact that you're still somewhat useful for helping me gather intelligence on Chu Feng, I would cleave you with one sword strike right now! It would save me from seeing your eyesore of a face!”
Eyesore??
Motherf*cker! Just you wait! Once I Breakthrough to Golden Core Perfection, I'll immediately apply for a life-and-death battle with you! We'll see who the real trash is!
Xu Xing's heart seethed like a stormy sea, every word carrying bone-deep hatred, yet that ugly smile remained on his face: “Senior Brother Ling is right, with your strength, you indeed don't need to join forces with anyone.”
“However, Chu Feng is sinister and cunning. He intentionally framed us for joining forces with Zhenbao Peak just to disgust you! He wants to ruin your reputation!”
“We should present a united front against outsiders, deal with Chu Feng first, and then clarify the rumors.”
“Otherwise, as the rumors spread further, it will be detrimental to your reputation! You are someone who wants to compete for the position of Saint. If your reputation is ruined, how will those neutral Elders look at you? How will the Sect Master look at you?”
“Enough, stop your nonsense! I know what I'm doing!”
Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao waved his hand impatiently, the movement like shooing away a fly. “A character like Chu Feng, I can crush him with one hand! You trash, stop being such a nuisance here! I'll handle it myself!”
He walked to the entrance of the Immortal Cave, his back to Xu Xing, his voice full of disdain. “I will personally go find Chu Feng and let him know the consequences of slandering me, Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao.”
“I will behead him with one sword strike in front of the entire Sect, using his blood to wash away my disgrace. As for you lot, go do whatever you're supposed to do and don't bother me!”
Seeing Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao being so arrogant, Xu Xing sneered in his heart.
Arrogant and conceited fool! You think you're invincible under heaven? Hmph, once Chu Feng deals with you, let's see how arrogant you can still be!
But on the surface, he remained respectful, even bowing slightly: “Since Senior Brother Ling is confident, then I won't say more.”
“However, if there's anything you need help with, just say the word.”
“Although I, Xu, am lacking in strength, I can still help with chores like collecting intelligence and contacting people.”
“Help? With just you?”
Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao glanced at Xu Xing, his gaze like he was looking at trash on the side of the road. “Forget it, just don't cause trouble for me! Scram! I don't want to see you right now!”
“Fine!”
Xu Xing suppressed his anger and nodded.
The moment he stepped out the door.
Xu Xing's expression instantly darkened, and the fury in his eyes could no longer be suppressed, erupting forth.
...
On the other side.
In a secret room at Zhenbao Peak.
Wu Chen, Deacon Zhao, and several others all had solemn expressions.
They never expected that after pushing forward Tang Aotian as a pawn, how could Zhenbao Peak's involvement be exposed so quickly?
Logically speaking, they had acted very covertly; they shouldn't have been discovered so soon.
This was like playing chess where, after only three moves, the opponent had seen through your entire layout. This feeling made one's spine go cold.
“What exactly is going on? This matter is being spread far and wide; we are in a very passive position!”
A deacon with a face full of scars named Sun Meng said angrily, “Now the whole Sect is saying that our Zhenbao Peak is colluding with Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao to manipulate resources and seek private gain!”
“The Law Enforcement Hall has already intervened in the investigation! Several of my Disciples were called in for questioning by the Law Enforcement Hall today and haven't returned yet!”
“How should I know?”
When that deacon spoke, he looked toward Yan Jue, which made Yan Jue very unhappy, causing him to snap back with a voice full of irritation.
He was also puzzled. He had clearly been very careful, so how were their schemes still perceived by others?
Could that kid Chu Feng really be that powerful? Able to foresee things?
“Yan Jue, our own people are all trustworthy.”
Deacon Zhao was a cautious person and was Wu Chen's advisor.
He thought for a moment and asked, “Do you think it's possible Tang Aotian leaked the news? After all, he is an outsider.”
“Tang Aotian?”
Deacon Zhao's words reminded Yan Jue, and he recalled Tang Aotian's various recent actions.
He never showed his face himself, and he even took the initiative to increase the intensity of the crackdown, even injuring the Dantians of Fengyun Association Disciples. He was extremely uncooperative, as if he were intentionally escalating the conflict.
“It's very likely!”
A cold light flashed in Yan Jue's eyes. “That little beast Tang Aotian must be playing a double game!”
“He superficially agreed to cooperate with us, but secretly leaked the news, wanting to watch the tigers fight from the mountain. He's waiting for us and Chu Feng to both be injured so he can profit as the third party!”
Hearing this.
Deacon Sun's hair stood on end with rage. “If it really was Tang Aotian who leaked the news, then this kid is truly audacious!”
“A mere Yellow-rank True Disciple dares to play tricks with our Zhenbao Peak? Does he really think that with Fubao Peak backing him, we wouldn't dare move against him?”
“It's not yet fully certain that Tang Aotian leaked it.”
Deacon Zhao frowned and spoke in a heavy voice; he was calmer than the others. “However, he indeed has been somewhat abnormal.”
“Tang Aotian definitely wants to deal with Chu Feng; he even sent Song Ming to take action before.”
Yan Jue sighed. “But it's too late to say all this now. The priority is to find out if it was really him who leaked the news.”
“If it is, we must take action immediately. We absolutely cannot let him ruin our grand plans! Chu Feng is already alert; if we have internal chaos again, this battle won't even need to be fought.”
“Yan Jue, I suggest you immediately send people to keep a close eye on Tang Aotian.”
Deacon Zhao pondered for a moment before speaking again. “If he really has a problem, we can't let him off easy! Anyone who plays with our Zhenbao Peak must pay the price! If necessary, we can...”
He made a throat-slitting gesture, an undisguised killing intent flashing in his eyes.
For Zhenbao Peak, the best way to handle a disobedient pawn was to make him shut up forever.
“Don't worry, I've already arranged for people to monitor him.”
Yan Jue nodded, a ruthless light flashing in his eyes. “If he really dares to betray us, I will let him know the consequences of offending Zhenbao Peak! Even Fubao Peak won't be able to protect him!”
Wu Chen tapped on the table. The sound wasn't loud, but it made everyone quiet down.
He scanned the crowd, his gaze like lightning: “Alright, now is not the time to assign blame.”
“The priority is to deal with the current crisis. The Law Enforcement Hall has already intervened; we must respond carefully and not let them catch any evidence.”
He looked at Deacon Zhao and instructed: “Deacon Zhao, you go to the Law Enforcement Hall to scout out the situation and see how much evidence they have gathered.”
“When necessary, we can use our connections in the Law Enforcement Hall. Grease the palms that need greasing, and send the gifts that need to be sent.”
“Remember, do it covertly; don't leave any traces.”
“Understood.”
Deacon Zhao nodded. He indeed had acquaintances in the Law Enforcement Hall who should be able to help at the critical moment.
“Yan Jue, you continue to be responsible for Tang Aotian's side; you must keep a close eye on him.”
Wu Chen looked at Yan Jue, a cold light flashing in his eyes. “If it's confirmed that he leaked the news... you know what to do. Do it cleanly; don't let anyone suspect us.”
“It's best to create an ‘accident,’ such as a Qi Deviation during cultivation or an unfortunate encounter during a mission.”
“Yes!” Yan Jue cupped his hands. He understood Wu Chen's meaning.
For a disobedient pawn, the best way to handle it was to make him disappear forever, and in a way that wouldn't make anyone suspect the player.
“Everyone else, keep a low profile during this time. Don't cause any more trouble.”
Wu Chen stood up and scanned the room, his voice carrying authority. “Especially regarding the Fengyun Association, temporarily stop all actions. Once the heat has passed, we will plan further.”
“Chu Feng... hmph, I'll remember this debt. Once the current trouble is resolved, I'll let him know the consequences of offending Zhenbao Peak.”
The meeting ended, and the crowd dispersed, each with a solemn face.
Only Wu Chen and Deacon Zhao remained in the secret room.
“Wu Chen, do you think it really was Chu Feng behind this?” Deacon Zhao asked in a low voice. He always felt things weren't that simple.
Wu Chen was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. “Besides him, I can't think of anyone else.”
He paused and continued, his tone carrying a hint of complexity: “This boy is more formidable than we imagined. Not only is his combat power startling, able to use Foundation Establishment to clash with Golden Core.”
“His scheming is also quite extraordinary. This time, we truly underestimated him.”
“Then what do we do now? The rumors have already spread, which is very disadvantageous for us.”
Deacon Zhao frowned. He was responsible for Zhenbao Peak's external affairs and knew the importance of reputation best. “Many neutral Elders have already started to suspect us. People who originally promised to support us are now acting ambiguous.”
“If this continues, our influence in the Elder Council will be greatly weakened.”
“Rumors are ultimately just rumors. Without evidence, even the Law Enforcement Hall can't do anything to us.”
Wu Chen sneered. “However, Chu Feng's move is indeed brilliant. Not only did he drive a wedge between us and Senior Brother Ling Wuxiao, but he also caused internal suspicion and panic among us.”
“This boy... cannot be underestimated. I now somewhat understand why Xiao Qingtian would take him as a Disciple. This boy indeed has the bearing of a Saint.”
“Then are we going to give up?” Deacon Zhao asked. He knew Wu Chen was determined to get the Saint position, but the current situation was indeed not optimistic.
“Give up?”
Wu Chen turned around, a ruthless light flashing in his eyes, like a lone wolf staring at its prey. “How is that possible! The more powerful the opponent, the more value there is in defeating them!”
“Chu Feng, I, Wu Chen, am going to have you! The Saint position can only be mine! Whoever blocks my path, I will eradicate!”
“This game has only just begun. Chu Feng, let's wait and see.”