Zanxing

Chapter 77 - Causing Trouble (3)

Gu Baiying glanced at Yanxing, leaving her puzzled, until he explained, "The Panhua Staff has a warding incantation that repels evil spirits. When Yang Yanxing approached, the incantation suppressed the demon insect, forcing it to leave its host."

Yanxing finally understood and looked at the Panhua Staff at her waist. No wonder it had been shaking earlier—it was warning her.

"But... why did this thing attach to my brother?" Rong Yu lifted his head. "Even if there was a demon insect hiding in the gambling den, why only target my brother?"

"Maybe he was just unlucky?" Tian Fangfang suggested tentatively.

"That's an incredible amount of bad luck," Mu Chengxiao shook his head. "There hasn't been a sighting of a demon insect in decades in the cultivation world. Besides, this den is full of mortals, yet the insect chose a cultivator..." He looked at Tan Tianxin. "Quite the coincidence."

"What are you implying?" Tan Tianxin sneered. "Are you accusing me?"

Mu Chengxiao calmly replied, "I didn't say that."

"I didn't do anything like that!" Tan Tianxin gritted his teeth. "You're falsely accusing me!"

"Boy," Gu Baiying turned to Rong Yu, "we've found the demon insect that harmed your brother. What do you plan to do?"

The question was clear: did he want to pursue the matter further? Investigating further might lead to conflict with the Chihua Sect, and it would likely end inconclusively. As expected, Rong Yu hesitated for a moment before lowering his head and saying, "Given the situation... I'll take my brother back to the inn and figure things out from there."

"That's it?" Mu Chengxiao frowned. "Your brother's injuries are serious. He won't be able to participate in the secret realm trial."

Rong Yu let out a bitter laugh. "...There's nothing I can do about that."

Yanxing sighed internally. It seemed Rong Yu didn't want to escalate the situation with the Chihua Sect, so he chose to let it go.

Seeing Rong Yu's decision, Tan Tianxin's expression improved. Despite the shoe print on his face, he smirked and said, "You're sensible enough."

Gu Baiying gave him a look, and Tan Tianxin instinctively covered his face, grumbling, "Fine, I'll cut my losses. I won't take the spirit stones; you can go!"

At that moment, Mendong and Meng Ying entered. They had arrived a little late. Mendong immediately spotted the demon insect trapped in the light cage and exclaimed, "A demon insect!" He hurriedly approached, pulling a small bamboo cage from his bag. With a flick, he trapped the insect inside as if it were a cricket. "This is valuable—it can be used in medicine. Who would've thought a demon insect would appear in Li-er Country?"

Meng Ying walked over to Gu Baiying and asked, "Martial Uncle, is everything alright?"

Gu Baiying replied, "Nothing much."

The sudden appearance of such an ethereal beauty like Meng Ying caused everyone in the gambling den to stare in awe. Even Tan Tianxin's gaze softened. The blue-robed gentleman who had been fanning himself beside Yanxing stepped forward gracefully and addressed Meng Ying, "This must be the famous Junior Sister Meng of the Taiyan Sect? I've heard much about you. I'm Nie Xinghong of the Yin Feng Sect."

Yanxing mentally sighed, recognizing the name—so this was the infamous nouveau riche sect.

Unlike the old-established Chihua Sect, the Yin Feng Sect was a recent powerhouse in the cultivation world. Their sect leader had struck gold—literally—by discovering a spirit stone mine behind their sect a few decades ago, leading to their meteoric rise.

With abundant resources, the sect master knew that talent was key to long-term success, so Yin Feng Sect actively recruited promising disciples. It's no wonder so many geniuses flocked to the sect, enticed by the hundreds of spirit stones given to disciples each month, not to mention the top-tier accommodations. Thanks to their wealth, the Yin Feng Sect had forced their way into the ranks of the top cultivation sects.

And now that they had money and talent, they naturally sought to make a name for themselves by stepping on older sects. The dwindling Taiyan Sect was a prime target. For decades, at every cultivation tournament, the Yin Feng Sect would challenge the Taiyan Sect, trying to use them as a stepping stone. Naturally, the Taiyan Sect's disciples despised their arrogant behavior, dismissing them as nothing more than "upstarts."

It was no surprise that Nie Xinghong was gloating earlier, Yanxing thought. They were rivals, after all.

As for Meng Ying, the famed beauty of the Taiyan Sect, she was used to people fawning over her and didn't even spare Nie Xinghong a glance. Ignoring his attempt at conversation, she asked Gu Baiying directly, "Martial Uncle, shall we head back?"

Gu Baiying sheathed his silver spear and called to Yanxing and the others, "Let's go."

Tian Fangfang shrugged and patted Rong Yu on the shoulder, saying, "We're off now, brother. See you at the secret realm trial."

After another word of thanks from Rong Yu, Yanxing and the others left the gambling den.

Once outside, Gu Baiying's smile vanished. He glanced at the group and, in an annoyed tone, asked, "Who struck first?"

Yanxing and Mu Chengxiao both took a step back, leaving Tian Fangfang standing in front. Under Gu Baiying's cold gaze, the burly man mumbled, "It was me... But Martial Uncle, they were going too far! Beating someone to death over a few spirit stones? And they insulted Junior Sister, calling her ugly! Plus, Junior Brother Mu also said that the Chihua Sect was using the demon insect to target the Liuli Sect and reduce their competition in the trial. Isn't that right, Junior Brother Mu?"

Mu Chengxiao responded calmly, "That was just a guess."

"Junior Brother Mu, how could you—"

Before Tian Fangfang could finish, Gu Baiying cut him off impatiently. "If you started the fight, then make sure you win. Did you not realize that if I hadn't arrived, Taiyan Sect's reputation would've been trampled into the dirt?"

Tian Fangfang blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

Yanxing couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

"And you," Gu Baiying turned his sharp gaze to Yanxing. "Once you leave Gu Feng Mountain, you're no longer under the protection of Taiyan Sect. Not everyone is going to let you off easily. How could you not dodge a sneak attack? Yang Yanxing, you're the top disciple in the inner sect exam, and you embarrassed yourself like this outside?"

Yanxing: "..."

Mu Chengxiao interjected, "Martial Uncle, Master instructed us before we left not to engage in conflicts with other sects unless necessary."

"Unnecessary fights, yes. But once you start a fight, you better win it." Gu Baiying scoffed. "Otherwise, why fight at all? For intimidation?"