Chapter 778: Refusal

The front yard was quiet.

Yi Qiushui’s joyful expression gradually froze on her delicate face, and her jade-like hands involuntarily clenched. She clearly hadn't expected Gu Xi to propose such a condition.

A hint of anger flared in her heart. "Deacon Gu Xi, isn't this condition a bit much?" she said.

Gu Xi smiled faintly. "Young people who make mistakes always have to pay a price, otherwise they won't learn. I'm doing this for his own good."

In his opinion, the condition was not excessive. Although Zhou Yuan's talent was decent, he had no background. Making him an honorary disciple of the Mansion Lord would be a huge leap forward.

What was the cost of two high-grade Heavenly Origin Arts compared to that?

If Zhou Yuan was sensible, he would know the wisest choice.

He looked up at Zhou Yuan, whose face remained expressionless, and asked, "What have you decided?"

Zhou Yuan said indifferently, "Apologize? I don't think I need to do that. Does everyone who defeats a Heavenly Spirit Sect disciple have to apologize to you?"

Gu Xi casually remarked, "If it's a fight between lions and tigers, that's naturally a fine thing. But if some rats try to stroke a tiger's whiskers, aren't they just asking for trouble?"

Zhou Yuan smiled, then slowly sat down nearby. "Forget it," he said. "I can't afford such connections."

Gu Xi's eyes darkened, and his teacup clinked loudly on the table. "Are you refusing the Heavenly Spirit Sect's goodwill? It's good for young people to be spirited, but don't be too arrogant."

This time, however, Zhou Yuan didn't even bother to respond.

Seeing this, Gu Xi sneered and wasted no more words. He stood up directly and said, "You ungrateful wretch, your time will come."

Then he cast a sidelong glance at Yi Qiushui and said sarcastically, "I hear Patriarch Qiushui wants to recommend this person. Heh, the Heavenly Spirit Sect won't agree to that."

With a flick of his sleeve, he walked straight out the door.

As Gu Xi departed, the atmosphere in the courtyard grew somewhat somber. Yi Qiushui's delicate face showed a hint of anger, and her jade-like hand couldn't help but slam the table. "This is simply too much!" she exclaimed.

She had extended good grace in inviting Gu Xi, but she hadn't expected him to show no respect for their Yi family.

Zhou Yuan smiled. "Qiushui, I appreciate your good intentions. There's no need to trouble yourselves further with this matter."

While he naturally wouldn't refuse if the issue could be resolved amiably with the Heavenly Spirit Sect, given their attitude, he preferred to drop it.

Yi Qiushui bit her lip slightly. "You have this grievance with the Heavenly Spirit Sect because of my Yi family's affairs. How can I ignore it?

If they're unhappy about this, they should come after my Yi family. Right now, they're simply seeing that you have no background and want to take it out on you."

She took a deep breath. "But you don't need to worry. In two days, the teleportation formation in Xuanzhou City will be able to locate the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven. I'll be going there to report for duty, and I'll find an opportunity to recommend you to Grand Elder Xi Jing. If she values you, the Heavenly Spirit Sect wouldn't dare do anything to you."

Yi Qianji, who was standing nearby, said with some worry, "Grand Elder Xi Jing has such discerning judgment, and she has seen countless prodigies. How easy do you think it is for her to value someone?

"Moreover, I fear the Heavenly Spirit Sect will try to interfere with this.

"Grand Elder Xi Jing may not be willing to cause unpleasantness with the Heavenly Spirit Sect over someone in the Divine Dwelling stage, even though they already have a difficult relationship... but at their level, there are always compromises."

Yi Qiushui's delicate brows furrowed tightly.

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he gave a light cough. "I think Grand Elder Xi Jing and I might just get along," he said. "So we can give it a try."

At his words, both Yi Qiushui and Yi Qianji were stunned.

Yi Qianji, in particular, stared at Zhou Yuan with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. He thought Zhou Yuan was incredibly thick-skinned. What kind of status did Grand Elder Xi Jing hold? She was one of the overseers of the Heaven Abyss Territory, a top-tier existence even within the Hunyuan Heaven. Even experts like them, in the Heavenly Sun stage, couldn't catch her eye. Where did Zhou Yuan, merely in the Divine Dwelling stage, get such confidence?

Even if his talent was decent and he had defeated Mo Yuan... had Grand Elder Xi Jing seen few super prodigies over the years? Why would she take a liking to him?

Yi Qiushui also smiled helplessly, unsure what to say.

Seeing their peculiar expressions, Zhou Yuan felt a bit helpless. What could he say? Could he directly state that Xi Jing was his senior sister? Or that his master was Grand Venerable Cang Yuan?

Saying it would scare them to death.

Of course, he couldn't reveal it.

So Zhou Yuan maintained a calm expression, using his thick skin to withstand the strange looks from Yi Qiushui and Yi Qianji.

"We'll depart in two days," Yi Qiushui finally said, withdrawing her gaze. She made up her mind that no matter the outcome, they had to try.

Zhou Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled at Yi Qiushui. "Thank you in advance, Qiushui," he said.

Xi Jing's status in the Heaven Abyss Territory was exceptionally high. If he had no connections, even if he were in the Heavenly Sun stage instead of merely the Divine Dwelling stage, he might not be qualified to meet her.

Therefore, Yi Qiushui's connection undoubtedly saved him a great deal of trouble.

Seeing Zhou Yuan's relaxed expression, Yi Qiushui could only shake her head with a wry smile.

She truly wondered where Zhou Yuan got such immense confidence.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside the teleportation formation in the center of Xuanzhou City.

A towering stone platform stood there, with countless pillars of light interwoven within it. Ancient Genesis Runes drifted about, forming a massive teleportation formation.

At this moment, Zhou Yuan, Yi Qiushui, and Yi Qianji stood outside the formation.

"The teleportation formation connects the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven with various cities in the Heaven Abyss Territory," Yi Qiushui explained beside Zhou Yuan, her breath like orchids. "However, because there are so many destinations, the rotation to the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven only allows for two days of teleportation each month. If you miss these two days, you'll have to wait until next month."

Zhou Yuan nodded. Although this teleportation formation was not as grand as the cross-realm teleportation array his master, Cang Yuan, had set up, it was still incredibly majestic and spectacular.

"Heh, Patriarch Qiushui certainly seems eager. Are you rushing off to the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven already?" As they spoke, a cold sneer suddenly came from behind them. They looked to see Gu Xi slowly approaching.

Behind Gu Xi followed Qiu Ling, who was now staring at Zhou Yuan with a sinister gaze.

Seeing this, Yi Qiushui's delicate brows furrowed.

Gu Xi walked closer and said indifferently, "Coincidentally, we are also heading to the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven. We can go together."

Yi Qiushui's pretty face subtly changed. Gu Xi heading to the Heaven Abyss Grotto-Heaven now likely meant no good. She recalled Gu Xi's words from yesterday, and her heart sank, realizing that this scoundrel was probably going to cause trouble.

Gu Xi's gaze shifted to Zhou Yuan, and he slowly said, "Brat, I'm giving you one last chance..."

"Quiet down."

Zhou Yuan frowned.

Gu Xi's eyes instantly turned cold, and Genesis Qi surged around him. Seeing this, Yi Qianji quickly stepped aside and said in a deep voice, "Deacon Gu Xi, please show some self-respect."

Gu Xi sneered, reining in his Genesis Qi. "Let's see how long you can keep up that tough talk," he said.

With a wave of his sleeve, he led Qiu Ling directly into the teleportation formation. Amidst the shimmering, vast light, they vanished from sight, though Zhou Yuan could still feel Gu Xi's sinister gaze before he left.

Yi Qiushui's delicate face was icy. She took a deep breath and said, "Let's go too."

With that, she also stepped into the teleportation formation.

Zhou Yuan followed closely. As the surrounding Genesis Light surged, space intensely fluctuated. He licked his lips, a mix of curiosity and anticipation rising in his heart.

He would finally be able to meet Senior Sister Xi Jing...

(Two chapters today.)