169: rumor

Rumors

"Targeting my Wending Sect?"

Lin Chen leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

He quickly ran through his mind; he didn't seem to have directly offended any big shots from these two continents.

But a tall tree attracts the wind; perhaps his rise was just too rapid, becoming an eyesore for some.

No matter who it was, since they dared to slap the label of "Demonic Sect" on them, this matter would not end peacefully.

[Ding! New Mission issued: Eradicate all forces spreading rumors and slandering the Wending Sect. Completion will grant a massive reward!]

The System's notification sounded at the right time.

"I was waiting for you to say that!"

"Truly, fame brings trouble just as a fat pig invites slaughter. It's only been quiet for a few days, and now they're splashing dirty water on us."

Lin Chen snorted coldly, his lips curling into a frigid arc, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

"Slandering my Wending Sect as the Demonic Path?"

"Saying Elder Li Meng is a Demonic Puppet?"

"This Sect Master wants to see what other tricks these rats hiding in the gutters can play next!"

At this moment, Fairy Li Meng, Chu Nansheng, Xu Wenxian, Li Tiangang, the Sweeping Monk, and other core high-level members walked into the hall together.

Fairy Li Meng's face was covered in frost; she had clearly heard the rumors as well.

"Yuxian Continent, Lanxiao Continent... the top two continents in the Qinggu Heaven Domain. Using such despicable means, those old geezers lurking in the shadows must be unable to sit still."

To the side, Xu Wenxian cupped his fists, his voice resonant and carrying a sharp Sword Intent.

"Sect Master, I am willing to go! Anyone who spreads rumors about our sect, regardless of which force they come from, I will use the sword in my hand to eradicate them one by one to set the record straight!"

Lin Chen's gaze swept over the people before him as he slowly stood up, an invisible pressure spreading out.

"It seems some people think my Wending Sect has been too quiet."

His tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable decisiveness: "In that case, let them hear clearly just how loud the voice of my Wending Sect can be."

...Somewhere over the wasteland of Lanxiao Continent.

Venerable Duobao was leisurely flying on an inconspicuous Gold Ingot.

He looked down at the somewhat barren mountains and rivers, his nose wrinkling in distaste: "This is the second-ranked continent in the Qinggu Heaven Domain? Tsk tsk, the Immortal Qi is so thin it's not even as good as the latrines in my Wending Sect!"

"How disappointing. What kind of decent treasures can there be in such a backwater place?"

Though he said that, since he was already here, he couldn't return empty-handed.

He scratched his rounded chin: "Forget it, I'll find someone to ask for directions first and get a feel for the situation."

Just as he was pondering, the sound of breaking air came from nearby.

Several rays of light approached from afar; they were three young Cultivators dressed in fine clothes, riding rare and exotic beasts, talking as they traveled.

Their mounts were magnificent and their auras extraordinary, clearly indicating they came from noble backgrounds.

"...Do you guys think those rumors are true or false? Is the Wending Sect really of the Demonic Path? Did Fairy Li Meng become a Demonic Puppet?"

A young man dressed in a python robe with an elegant bearing, seemingly the Crown Prince of some Immortal Kingdom, spoke indifferently: "This Prince is not very interested in this. So what if it's true? So what if it's false? In this world, only one's own strength is fundamental."

"If that Wending Sect truly has the ambition to swallow Qinggu, some high-level experts will naturally take action when the time comes. Why should we worry?"

Another young man in brocade clothes, the Young Lord of the great Meng Family of Lanxiao Continent, snorted coldly: "True or false, I don't know; we didn't enter the Ruoshui Secret Realm. But I have no good feelings toward this Wending Sect!"

"One of my cousins perished in the Ruoshui Secret Realm; perhaps he met his end at their hands!"

Venerable Duobao's small eyes lit up; it was truly a case of someone bringing a pillow just when he wanted to sleep.

His figure flickered, and like a ghost, he silently appeared in the path of the three, blocking their way.

The three were startled and hurriedly reined in their mounts.

The Young Lord of the Meng Family had the hottest temper and shouted harshly: "Who are you? How dare you block our path!"

"Young friends, do not misunderstand. This old man has no ill intentions."

Venerable Duobao put on a harmless smile and cupped his hands: "I just saw that you all have extraordinary bearings and must come from famous sects."

"This old man's cultivation is decent. Having drifted for a long time, I'm looking for a place to settle down."

"I wonder if any of the forces behind you young friends would be willing to take in an idle person like me?"

A flash of scrutiny appeared in the Crown Prince's eyes, and he did not easily respond.

The Young Lord of the Meng Family looked up and down at the unremarkable Venerable Duobao, whose Daoist robe even had patches, and sneered: "You want us to take you in? We'll have to see how capable you are! Defeat my Young Lord's Guard first!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a silent Guard with an aura as heavy as a mountain stepped forward. The pressure of the Earth Immortal Stage was released without reservation, and he threw a punch at Venerable Duobao!

The fist wind was fierce, covering the sky and the earth.

Venerable Duobao only gave a light "humph." Without any visible movement, the Guard's fist hit an invisible wall when it was still several feet from his face. The man was sent flying back at an even faster speed, fainting in mid-air before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Too weak."

Venerable Duobao dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes and shook his head with a sigh: "If you young friends want to test this old man's strength, at least find someone who is somewhat decent!"

"Early Earth Immortal Stage? Not enough, not enough."

Suppressing an Earth Immortal in an instant!

And as easily as swatting a fly!

The three young men's expressions changed drastically, their gazes toward Venerable Duobao filled with horror.

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, his attitude instantly becoming extremely respectful: "Senior, please forgive us! We were blind! To suppress an Earth Immortal in a single breath, Senior must at least be a Heavenly Immortal expert! I wonder which of our three families Senior... favors?"

Venerable Duobao's small eyes scanned the three, and finally, he pointed with a smile at the Young Lord of the Meng Family who had just spoken: "Him! I think this young friend is quite pleasing to the eye."

Hearing this, the Crown Prince and the other person felt some regret, but they still cupped their hands to congratulate the Young Lord of the Meng Family.

"Congratulations, Brother Meng! To have such a powerful expert seek to join you right at your doorstep, Uncle Meng will surely be greatly pleased when he finds out!"

The Young Lord of the Meng Family was ecstatic, but he tried his best to remain calm, though the smile at the corners of his mouth could not be suppressed.

He could already see the scene of his father and the Old Ancestor looking at him with new respect. He hurriedly bowed to Venerable Duobao: "It is my Meng Family's fortune that Senior is willing to join us! This Junior, Meng Mingxuan, will certainly host Senior well!"

Venerable Duobao stroked his beard and chuckled: "It's fine, it's fine. The Meng Family... I assume your treasures... er, I mean your foundation is quite deep?"

"Of course!"

Meng Mingxuan puffed out his chest and said proudly: "Senior, come back to the residence with me and you will see!"

Venerable Duobao nodded with a smile and followed Meng Mingxuan toward the Meng Family, secretly delighted.

Hehe, a fat sheep... no, a reliable employer has delivered himself to my door!

This Lanxiao Continent doesn't seem like it will be too boring after all.