39: Chapter 39 Why Kneel

As Ji Youying's voice fell, the spiritual pressure of an Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator poured down like a physical substance.

The air seemed to instantly freeze into a block of iron, pressing heavily upon Ye Xiaoyao.

That power was domineering and tyrannical, carrying an irresistible will that sought to press him completely to the ground.

Lu Guan, who was still kneeling on the ground, felt the pressure on his body lighten.

The Saint's pressure had clearly bypassed him, concentrating entirely on Ye Xiaoyao alone.

He rejoiced in his heart, nearly laughing out loud.

His Highness the Saint has finally arrived!

He stealthily lifted his eyelids to look at Ye Xiaoyao, expecting to see the other party collapse with a thud, looking wretched and pathetic.

It would be even better if he spat out a few mouthfuls of blood; that would truly be satisfying.

The corners of Lu Guan's mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

Ye Xiaoyao, you piece of trash, you're finished this time!!

With the Saint personally taking action, let's see how arrogant you can still be.

Ji Youying stood suspended in the air, his black robes fluttering slightly under the surge of spiritual power.

He looked down at Ye Xiaoyao below, his gaze icy.

This kid must be the one surnamed Ye.

A mere Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator actually dares not to kneel upon seeing this Saint, and even stands there looking so composed.

Who gave him the nerve??

Ji Youying sneered inwardly.

Now, I'll let you know the meaning of hierarchy and the meaning of the gap between us.

He waited to see the wretched sight of Ye Xiaoyao being unable to withstand his pressure, his knees hitting the ground and his forehead bleeding from kowtowing.

However—

Ye Xiaoyao did not kneel!

His body swayed visibly, his waist suddenly arched, and his head lowered.

Veins bulged on his neck, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

A striking trail of bright red even overflowed from the corner of his mouth, slowly sliding down his jawline.

But he remained standing.

His legs were like nails driven into the ground; though they trembled slightly, they did not bend.

Ji Youying's brow furrowed.

What's going on?

A piece of trash at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage.

How could he possibly withstand the spiritual pressure of the Core Formation Stage?

Even if his cultivation was more solid than the average Early Foundation Establishment Stage, he should have knelt by now.

Several breaths of time had already passed.

He secretly added another measure of force.

Ye Xiaoyao's body sank a bit further, his knees only an inch or so from the ground.

He clenched his teeth, his entire face flushing red from the exertion, but a fire burned in his eyes.

I cannot kneel!!!

Ye Xiaoyao told himself in his heart.

That scorching and masculine power within his body was circulating frantically.

Pure Yang Power, one of the three great treasures obtained after his Saint Physique Awakening.

At this moment, it was like an awakened angry dragon, galloping and roaring through his Meridians, forcefully holding up against the mountain-like external pressure.

The more tyrannical and oppressive it is, the more I will not kneel!

Ye Xiaoyao knew.

Once he knelt, he could never hope to hold his head high before Ji Youying again.

The other party would only escalate their humiliation, treading him into the mud.

As the Pure Yang Power circulated to its limit, a very faint golden shimmer appeared on the surface of his skin.

That light was very weak, almost invisible in the sunlight, yet it truly existed.

Ji Youying keenly sensed something was wrong.

What is this?

He stared at Ye Xiaoyao, his heart filled with uncertainty.

For someone at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage to be able to endure his pressure for so long was not normal.

There's definitely something strange about this kid.

Could it be some kind of special Physique?

Ji Youying's mind raced, but his face remained icy.

As a Saint and a Core Formation Cultivator, he couldn't appear to be too petty.

If word got out that he used his pressure to force a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to kneel and failed for so long, that would be a true joke.

After a stalemate of about ten breaths, Ji Youying finally gave a cold snort and withdrew the pressure.

The pressure vanished abruptly.

Ye Xiaoyao took a deep breath and slowly straightened his body.

He raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, his movements unhurried.

Then he looked up at Ji Youying in the sky, cupped his hands, and performed a standard Cultivator's salute.

“Junior Ye Xiaoyao.”

His voice sounded very steady, though it still carried a hint of respect.

“Greets Your Highness the Saint.”

Ji Youying narrowed his eyes.

Now you know how to play nice?

“Just now when you saw this Saint,”

He asked coldly, “Why did you not kneel?”

Ye Xiaoyao's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

“Your Highness the Saint.”

His tone remained somewhat respectful, but his meaning was clear: “Junior is now a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

Sect regulations state that Foundation Establishment Inner Sect Disciples do not need to kneel when meeting the Saint or Saintess; only Outer Sect Qi Refining Disciples are required to perform the kneeling salute.”

He paused and added, “Junior is merely following the Sect rules.”

Rules.

Hearing these words, Ji Youying's anger flared even more.

What a sharp-tongued brat, actually using the Sect rules to shut him up.

“Before this Saint,”

He said word by word, each one sounding as if wrapped in ice shards.

“It is not yet a Junior's place to talk of logic.”

Ye Xiaoyao lowered his eyelids.

He knew the strength gap between himself and Ji Youying was still vast.

If they clashed head-on now, he would certainly be the one to suffer.

But that didn't mean he would let himself be slaughtered or kneel and beg for mercy.

Cultivating the Dao is about being free and unfettered!

And even more about having a clear mind!!

If one simply endures when being bullied, then why cultivate at all?

Better to go home, farm the land, and feed pigs.

He looked up again, his face wearing a feigned sincere smile.

“Your Highness the Saint misunderstands.”

He said, “Junior is not trying to argue logic with you; Junior is merely discussing the matter as it is and speaking the truth.”

Ji Youying stared at him for a long while before suddenly cold-snorting.

“Hmph!”

He flicked his sleeve.

“This Saint is broad-minded and does not wish to bicker with you over these things at this moment.”

His tone shifted.

“Let me ask you!”

Ji Youying's gaze was as sharp as a knife.

“What were you doing in the Saintess's Immortal Cave?”

Ye Xiaoyao's heart stirred.

What else could I be doing?

Naturally, doing what dual cultivation dao companions should do.

But those words could not be said.

“Your Highness the Saint.”

He replied calmly, “Junior was instructed by the Saintess to help look after the spirit fields, feed the Spirit Beasts, and handle some chores in her Immortal Cave.”

He didn't mention the Dual Cultivation.

That was a private matter between him and Ji Chanxi; there was no need to tell outsiders, and even less need to provoke Ji Youying at a time like this.

The most important thing right now was to go to the inner Sect to process his identity certification, not to get tangled up with the Saint here.

After hearing this, Ji Youying's heart relaxed slightly.

Looking after spirit fields?

Feeding Spirit Beasts?

That sounded like work only servants and handymen would do.

If it was only that, then Chanxi probably hadn't... with this kid yet.

His expression softened a bit, but remained gloomy.

“Even if it was by the Saintess's instruction,”

Ji Youying said with an ill-mannered tone, “By staying in her Immortal Cave and being so close to her, do you not know of my relationship with her?”

Ye Xiaoyao feigned ignorance.

“Junior does not know.”

“You do not know?”

Ji Youying sneered, “The Saintess is this Saint's future Dao Companion, destined to pursue the Great Dao of Yin and Yang Dual Cultivation with me.

You, a mere Junior at the Foundation Establishment Stage, are getting so close to this Saint's woman—are you not publicly provoking this Saint's dignity?”

These words were extremely heavy, almost explicitly framing him.

Ye Xiaoyao rolled his eyes inwardly, but his face remained calm.

“Junior has said before,”

He repeated, “Working in the Saintess's Immortal Cave was not Junior's active request, but merely following the Saintess's instructions.

If Your Highness the Saint feels this is improper, why not discuss it directly with the Saintess?”

He kicked the ball back.

Ji Youying's face darkened.

Discuss it?

If he could even enter Chanxi's Immortal Cave, would he be wasting his breath here with you?

“This Saint's eyes cannot tolerate a grain of sand.”

His voice turned cold.

“I don't care if you were active or passive; since you have touched my sore spot, you must pay the price.”

Before his voice had even faded, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion.

Boundless spiritual power instantly condensed, transforming into a translucent giant palm.

With fingers spread wide, it clawed down toward Ye Xiaoyao's head!

The giant palm was over ten feet wide, its palm lines clearly visible, carrying the might of the Core Formation Stage; the air through which it passed emitted a low hum.

It was extremely fast, reaching the top of Ye Xiaoyao's head in the blink of an eye.

Lu Guan, kneeling on the ground, watched with eyes shining.

It's coming!

The Saint is personally taking action!

Ye Xiaoyao's pupils shrank, and the Pure Yang Power in his body circulated frantically as he prepared to endure this strike head-on.

He knew he couldn't dodge, but he had to at least put up a fight.

Just as the giant palm was about to close.

A crisp shout, like jade striking stone, came from the distance:

“Stop!!”